Full text of "Alberta species at risk program and projects"

See other formats

jjjjSS

alberta

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016

https://archive.org/details/albertaspeciesat2004albe

Alberta Species at Risk

PROGRAM AND PROJECTS

2004-2008

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK REPORT NO. 12

MAY 2 0 0 8

A\ber\a

Publication No.: 1/305
ISBN: 978-0-7785-7034-9 (Printed Edition)
ISBN: 978-0-7785-7035-6 (On-line Edition)
ISSN: 1496-7219 (Printed Edition)

ISSN: 1496-7146 (On-line Edition)

Illustrations: Brian Huffman, Medea Curteanu (PAGE22)

Cover Photographs: Gordon Court (ferruginous hawk, yucca moth, short-horned lizard,

Ord's kangaroo rat)

Karen Scott (western silvery minnow)

Dave Prescott (northern leopard frog)

Graphic Design & Layout: Broken Arrow Solutions Incorporated

For copies of this report visit the Alberta Species at Risk Program web site at:
http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/default.aspx

OR contact:

Information Centre - Publications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Main Floor, Great West Life Building
9920 - 1 08 Street

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K2M4
Telephone: (780) 944-0313 or 1 -877-944-0313

This publication may be cited as:

Fish and Wildlife Division. 2008. Alberta species at Risk Program and Projects 2004-2008. Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No.
1 20, Edmonton, AB. 66 pp.

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

table of contents

Prevention, Conservation and Stewardship Projects | 12

Amphibians and Reptiles \ 13

Birds | 17

Mammals | 21
Invertebrates \ 23
Plants | 25

Multi-Species and Landscape Initiatives | 27
Additional Projects | 33

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

Key contributions were received from staff within the Fish and Wildlife Division and the Alberta
Conservation Association during the preparation of this report. Cindy Platt prepared the report
and coordinated its production. Certain excerpts were written by Sue Cotterill in earlier versions
of this report. Editorial comments from Dave Ealey, Richard Quinlan and Lisa Matthias were also
greatly appreciated.

As in previous years, the success of the 2004-2008 Alberta Species at Risk Program is a result of
tremendous commitment by several organizations and individuals.The Species at Risk program
gratefully acknowledges all individuals and agencies that have funded or actively participated
in the projects recovery planning and implementation programs outlined in this document.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all participants involved with the General Status
exercise, the Adopt a Plant Alberta program, and recovery team participants who are too
numerous to name here. Further, we would like to acknowledge the contributions by various
landholders and land managers who continue to help maintain and recover Species at Risk in the
province.

Further, the Fish and Wildlife Division would like to commend the dedication and enthusiasm of
the following Species at Risk staff, regional fisheries and wildlife colleagues, project collaborators
and assistants.Their efforts have been instrumental in building and shaping the program, which
continues to make significant advancements to the conservation and protection of species at risk

in Alberta.
Barry Adams

Buck Cunningham

Carla Froyman

Martin Krippl

Raymond Pearson

Brent Smith

Jim Allen

Medea Curteanu

Dennis Giggs

Brian Laing

Brian Peers

Barry Snow

Erin Baird

DeVar Dahl

Tom Gilchrist

Julie Landry-DeBoer

Sue Peters

Brad Stelfox

Erin Baerwald

Leah Darling

Tim Gillies

Chad Lyttle

Ken Pitcher

Tara Stephens

Andrea Barnes

Dan Davies

David Gummer

Cal Madeod

Cindy Platt

Scott Stevens

Leslie Beattie

Craig DeMaere

Robin Gutsell

Dug Major

Jim Potter

Brad Taylor

Gavin Berg

Aaron Domes

Susan Hannon

Jeff Manchak

Dave Prescott

Andrew Teucher

Matt Besko

Brad Downey

Mark Heathcott

Sandy Marken

Eric Prescott

Arlen Todd

Ron Bjorge

Brandy Downey

Nikki Heck

Amanda Martens

Ian Prescott

Al Violette

Dana Blouin

Leo Dube

Mark Heckbert

Gary Martin

Jan Proctor

DrajsVujnovic

Francois Blouin

Randy Dzenkiw

Julie Heinrichs

Lisa Matthias

Richard Quinlan

KsenijaVujnovic

Rick Bonar

Lance Engley

Dave Hervieux

Matthew McBurney

Trevor Rhodes

Greg Wagner

Cheryl Bradley

Reg Ernst

Margot Hervieux

DeanneMiskew

Sandra Robertson

Bob Ward

Steve Brechtel

Dale Eslinger

Ed Hofman

Bonnie Moffet

Kathryn Romanchuk

Michelle Wells

Lowell Calder

Kristen Fazaka

Terry Hood

Kim Morton

Selwyn Rose

Lisa Wilkinson

Jenn Carlson

Rosemarie Ferjuc

Chris Hugenholtz

Wayne Nelson

David Ross

Matthew Wilkinson

Oriano Castelli

Jan Ficht

Darryl Jarina

Joel Nicholson

John Ross

Kevin Wingert

Linda Cerney

Terry Forkheim

Elinor Jochum

Kristen Norris

Tanya Rushcall

Bill Wishart

Terry Clayton

Andrew Forrest

Ed Johnson

Alena Parkinson

Reg Russell

Steve Wolfe

Barry Cole

Christine Found

Paul Jones

Cyndi Paszkowski

Tim Schowalter

HughWollis

Rob Corrigan

Shannon Frank

Kris Kendell

Dale Paton

Roy Schmelziesen

Karen Yee

Sue Cotterill

Lynn Fraser

Kelley Kissner

Chantelle Pattenden

Nyree Sharp

Gordon Court

Rick Friesen

Paul Knaga

Rick Pattenden

Christy Sikina

Danielle Cross

Laura Froggatt

Norbert Kondla

Kim Pearson

Corey Skiftun

Overall guidance and coordination of the 2004-2008 Species at Risk Program were provided by
Steve Brechtel, Sue Cotterill, Dave Prescott, and Richard Quinlan. The Species at Risk staff would
like to extend a very special thank-you to Steve Brechtel, whose hard work, dedication, and
leadership built the Species at Risk Program from scratch to what it is today. We wish Steve all the
best in his future adventures.

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

The Alberta Species at Risk Program continued to evolve between 2004 and 2008, shaped
by the increasing recovery and conservation needs of species at risk in the province, and
by external considerations, including the federal Species at Risk Act.

While emphasis continues to be on recovery planning and implementation, multi-species
and landscape-level initiatives increased in importance during this period. Although
status assessment continues to be integral to program function, the focus on recovery
represents a real need to identify and implement actions that will recover or maintain
viable populations of at risk wildlife and plant species in Alberta. Since the beginning of
the Species at Risk program, 1 5 recovery plans have been written, and recovery planning
is underway for nine species. In addition, management plans for several Species of Special
Concern are currently under development.

Involvement of affected and interested stakeholders has been integral to the success
of the Species at Risk Program. Stakeholder participation in the past four years has
been outstanding at the project level, on recovery teams, and with recovery activities.
Engagement of stakeholders through direct participation, partner funding or in-kind
support and through the Endangered Species Conservation Committee continues to be a
key strength of the program.

The federal Species at Risk Act was proclaimed in June 2003, and by June 2004 all sections
of the Act were in effect.The Act continues to influence the delivery of species at risk
initiatives in Alberta, particularly those related to recovery. Alberta, in turn, has continued
to influence the development of federal policies related to the interpretation and
implementation of the act, and is committed to developing provincial recovery plans that
meet both federal and provincial requirements.

This report highlights achievements of the Species at Risk Program from the 2004-2005 to
2007-2008 fiscal years. It includes 1 1 recovery planning updates, 1 5 Species at Risk project
summaries, recovery implementation progress for 1 4 species, and a short description of
other important initiatives that Species at Risk staff are undertaking.

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

<►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

Alberta Species at Risk Program Overview

This report provides an overview of the
projects and recovery efforts undertaken
as part of the Species at Risk Program
between April 2004 and March 2008. It
is the fifth summary of the provincial
Species at Risk Program. The Species at

3. Formal designation of species as Endangered
or Threatened (both legal designations under
Alberta's Wildlife Act), Species of Special Concern,
or Data Deficient.

4. Development and implementation of recovery
programs for Endangered and Threatened species.

5. Development and implementation of strategies to
prevent species from becoming at risk, including
Species of Special Concern management plans.

Risk Program is coordinated by the Fish
and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development. As in previous
years, it is only through the cooperative
efforts of both individuals and
non-governmental, provincial and federal
agencies that the accomplishments

These components work synergistically so that
advancements in one area, for example general status
determination, lead to the further development and
refinement of the other components such as Detailed
Status Assessment. Details on the five steps follow,
and are illustrated in the accompanying figure.

FIGURE 1: Species at Risk
Program Framework

of these past four years have been
realized.

In the early years, the Species at Risk
Program focused on inventory and
monitoring projects, with recovery
planning and implementation
coming to the forefront during
2002-2003. Although the general
status evaluations continue to
assess new taxonomic groups
and detailed status assessments
identify new species at risk that
enter into the recovery process,
provincial recovery planning and
implementation have emerged as
more prominent components of the
program, along with a new emphasis
on multi-species and landscape-level
approaches to species conservation.

General Status Assessment

rv~j V | i n

^ At Risk May Be Sensitive Secure — y

At Risk

Undetermined

Detailed Status
Assessment

Formal

Designation

Endangered Special Concern
Threatened

Recovery

Prevention

Programs

Strategies

Program Framework

The Alberta Species at Risk Program is composed of
five interrelated program areas:

1 . General status assessment of all wild species.

2. Detailed status assessment of species, with a
focus on those that may be at risk of extinction
or extirpation in Alberta.

1) General Status Assessment

The general status of wild species in Alberta is
evaluated every five years.This process acts as a
coarse filter, identifying those species that require
more focused attention, either for protection or
accurate evaluation. In 2005, preliminary status
assessments were prepared for 2 81 1 species of
birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and three
groups never before assessed: vascular plants,

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION. ..CONTINUED

bivalves and odonates.This greatly expanded the
scope of the general status assessment process.

2) Detailed Status Assessment

Detailed status reports provide a comprehensive
and current summary of a species status.They
are prepared or updated for selected species that
have received a general status of May Be at Risk,
Sensitive or Undetermined. In rare circumstances,
a species that has been assessed by the
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada (COSEWIC) but whose species' group
has not yet been assessed by the general status
assessment (e.g., moths), will receive a detailed
status report. Using these detailed status reports
and any additional pertinent information, an
independent body of scientists, the Scientific
Subcommittee (SSC) of the Endangered Species
Conservation Committee (ESCC), completes
a formal status assessment for the target
species using criteria developed by The World
Conservation Union (lUCN).The SSC then
provides the ESCC with formal status evaluation
and conservation recommendations.

3) Formal Designation

The ESCC is a broad stakeholder committee
including scientists, government and corporate
land managers, resource-based land users and
conservation organizations. The committee
reviews detailed status assessments and
the ensuing scientific assessment of species
status from the SSC.The ESCC then makes
recommendations on legal designation,
preparation of recovery plans, and conservation
actions to the Minister of Sustainable Resource
Development (the Minister), who has the final
responsibility for legally designating species
as Endangered or Threatened, and initiating
recovery and conservation measures. Legal
designation of birds, mammals, amphibians
and reptiles as Endangered or Threatened under
Alberta's Wildlife Act prohibits disturbance, killing,
possession and trafficking of these species, and
provides immediate protection for nests and
dens.The Wildlife Act and associated Wildlife
Regulation were modified in 1 997 to enable the
listing offish, plants, invertebrates and fungi,
as Endangered or Threatened. Four species of
plants and five species offish were designated
as Endangered or Threatened in fall 2007 through
listing in Schedule 6 of the Wildlife Regulation.
However, the automatic prohibitions do not
yet apply to the above-mentioned taxonomic
groups, and appropriate regulations are under
review. For wildlife species that do not meet
the criteria for Endangered or Threatened listing,
non-legal categories including Species of Special
Concern, Data Deficient, and others have been
created.

4) Recovery Programs

Following legal designation, recovery plans are
required within one year for Endangered species
and within two years for Threatened species.

The focus of a recovery program may be on
either recovery or maintenance of a species,
depending on the particular circumstances
leading to the species' listing. Ultimately, the
intent of a recovery program is to improve the
status of the species, ensure its long-term survival
in the wild, and remove the species from the
Endangered/Threatened species list. A recovery
team, composed of a variety of stakeholders
specific to the species and issues involved, is
formed to develop a draft recovery plan as
advice to the Minister on actions necessary to
conserve the species and/or its habitat.This
draft plan is submitted to the ESCC, who provide
recommendations to the Minister on adoption
of the plan. If the Minister approves the plan, it is
adopted as the Provincial Recovery Plan. Teams
also evaluate the progress of implementation of
approved recovery plans.

5) Prevention Strategies

It is generally much more efficient and cost-
effective to protect species before they become
Endangered. Any species that has been formally
designated as a Species of Special Concern or
evaluated as Sensitive at the general status level is
eligible for special management actions designed
to prevent the species from becoming more at
risk. A management plan may be used to outline
key strategies in an effort to prevent up-listing to
a more critical status in the future.

Program and Project Priorities

Four annual provincial Species at Risk Program
budgets with a cumulative total of $1 237 500
were allocated to species at risk projects, SSC
and ESCC operations, and recovery planning
and implementation. Most salary and staff
operational costs were covered from funds
outside the Species at Risk Program. All project
proposals were critically reviewed by Species at
Risk staff and ranked using the following criteria:

1 ) the status of the target species; 2) existing
commitments (e.g., ministerial priority, recovery
planning and implementation, ongoing project
requiring completion); and 3) the scope and
impact of the proposed project (e.g., provincial
vs. local scope; offering direct vs. indirect
conservation benefits). Project prioritization also
strived to ensure that progress would be made
in all five program areas, from general status
assessment to prevention, and that the program
would be active in all parts of the province, with a
focus in priority areas of the province.

Approximately $965 000 (78%) of the provincial
Species at Risk Program budget was allocated
directly to species at risk projects and recovery
planning and implementation. The accompanying

INTR

TION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INTRODUCTION. ..CONTINUED

three charts show the breakdown of these project
funds by program area, risk category and taxon
(species' groups).

FIGURE 2: Percentage of Program Funds
Directed to Program Area

Prevention

General Status
9%|

Detailed Status
jS 17%

Implementation
46%

^-Planning

FIGURE 3: Percentage of Project Funds
Directed to Risk Category

Sensitive

FIGURE 4: Percentage of Project Funds
Directed to Species' Group

Multi-species/
Landscape
30% X

Reptiles

Amphibians

. / 1 C0/„

Plants A ^

7% / Invertebrates

Mammals *o/

15%

This report covers four fiscal years. During that
period the Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development, funded the
following amounts to Species at Risk programs and
projects:

• 2004-2005: $300 000

• 2005-2006: $350 000

• 2006-2007: $267 500

• 2007-2008: $320 000

Of the $965 000 in provincial funding that was allocated
directly to species at risk projects and recovery efforts
over the four years, 87% was directed to projects that
the Fish and Wildlife Division coordinated or co-led with
other organizations, such as the Alberta Conservation
Association. Funding and in-kind support from outside
sources played a significant role in the successful
delivery of these initiatives. This support was received
from a variety of sources including the private sector,
conservation agencies, other provincial government
agencies, and the federal government. Partner funding
and in-kind support was valued at over $3 382 000, which
was roughly three times the Species at Risk Program
allocation in jointly led projects.

FIGURE 5: Four Year Compilation of Partner Funding
Contributed to Species at Risk Projects1 2004-2008

$1,800000
$1,600000
$1,400000
$1,200000
$1,000000
$800000
$600000
$400000
$200000
$0

1 For projects led

Significant Program Developments During
2004-2008

General status efforts in 2004-2008 included the
assessment of three new taxonomic groups: vascular
plants, bivalves and odonates,as well as the launching of
the first web-based, searchable database of The General
Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005. This interactive format
can reach a much broader audience than the printed
reports. Another benefit of this over the use of static
reports is the ability to make changes to the species
general status as new information becomes available in
the interim of the five-year assessments.

Detailed status reports printed in 2004-2008 covered
species from a broad range of taxa (species groups),
including birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants. Fifteen
new detailed status reports have been printed since
2004. The information in these reports was used in the
detailed status evaluation process, which is integral to the
operation of the SSC and ESCC.

The ESCC completed evaluations of 1 5 species potentially
at risk in Alberta and forwarded its recommendations
for these species to the Minister of Sustainable Resource

Federal Conservation Private Other

Government Organizations Sector

or co-led by the Fish and Wildlife Division

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION. ..CONTINUED

Development (included in Table 1 , page 1 1 ).

The addition of nine species of Threatened
and Endangered plants and fish to the Wildlife
Regulation in 2007 marked the first steps in
obtaining protection for these taxa similar or
equivalent to that currently provided to Threatened
and Endangered birds, reptiles, mammals, and
amphibians.

The third biennial report of the ESCC was
completed and published in June 2004.The report
was distributed to ESCC member organizations,
provincial government offices, and various
conservation organizations.The fourth biennial
report of the ESCC was completed in March 2008.
Other communication initiatives included
enhancement of the Alberta Species at Risk
website, documenting project progress through
the Species at Risk Report series, posting completed
Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plans online, and
publishing "At Home n the Range', 'a landholders
guide for living with prairie Species at Risk. In
addition, several species information brochures and
MULTISAR Beneficial Management Practices were
published.

Important developments were made in provincial
recovery planning and implementation since
2004.The western blue flag was downlisted from
Threatened to Species of Special Concern in 2005,
a result, in part, to additional populations found
during surveys conducted as part of its recovery
plan. Recovery plans were completed for several
more species including peregrine falcon, Ord's
kangaroo rat, woodland caribou, burrowing owl,
greater sage-grouse, northern leopard frog, western
spiderwort, trumpeter swan, soapweed, yucca
moth, swift fox, shortjaw cisco, and western silvery
minnow. Recovery planning continues for tiny
cryptanthe, ferruginous hawk, stonecat,and St.

Mary sculpin. Implementation of the Alberta Piping
Plover Recovery Plan 2002-2004 was completed,
and the plan was subsequently reviewed based on
success of implementation strategies. Subsequently,
a new plan, Alberta Piping Plover Recovery Plan
2005-2010, was produced.This represented the
first plan in the Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan series to have been written, implemented, and
reviewed, and to have had a new plan written to
continue with recovery efforts.

Stakeholder participation has been vital to the
working success of the provincial recovery teams.
Conservation groups, industry, land users and
managers, and provincial and federal agencies
are generally involved in these cooperative and
consultative initiatives.

In the prevention component of the Species at
Risk Program, draft conservation management
plans have been developed for three Species of
Special Concern including Sprague's pipit, long-
toed salamander and long-billed curlew, and for
one Data Deficient species, the prairie rattlesnake.

Management plans for bay-breasted warbler, black-
throated green warbler, arctic grayling, white-winged
scoter, and harlequin duck are in preparation.

Raising public awareness about the identity and
needs of species at risk also played a key role in the
prevention aspect of the program. One of the key
methods to achieve this is direct contact with the
public, and species at risk staff continued to make
progress in this area through the program website,
postcards, pamphlets, and presentations.

One of the biggest advances in the prevention field
was implementation of the multi-species/landscape
based programs such as MULTISAR. Because of its
overwhelming success in the Milk River basin since
2002, and the recognition of the need for such a
program elsewhere, this program was expanded to
include the entire Grassland Natural Region in 2007.
Other multi-species/landscapes programs include
the Southern Headwaters at Risk Program (SHARP),
and the Special Areas Habitat Stewardship Program.
These initiatives are working toward conservation
of multiple species at risk found within a particular
landscape through voluntary stewardship actions
with land users.

Provincial and National Program
Integration

Alberta's approach to identifying and protecting
species at risk is consistent with and parallels
national efforts in Species at Risk management
(Figure 6). Alberta has taken a leadership role in the
development and implementation of a standard
assessment protocol for the national general status
system, which links directly to Alberta's general
status assessment effort.This protocol consolidates
the provincial and territorial status ranks of all wild
species into national ranks at five-year intervals.

This consistency in approach continues at the
detailed status assessment level. The SSC plays a
role similar to that of the Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Both
committees conduct biological assessments of
species potentially at risk using criteria established
by The World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The ESCC represents a unique and progressive
component of Alberta's assessment process that
is not found at the national level. By involving
stakeholders at this stage of the legal designation
process, the development of effective and viable
management and recovery programs is enhanced.

Integration of provincial and national recovery
planning is essential, given requirements under the
federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Where Alberta is
the lead or co-lead jurisdiction for a federally listed
Endangered or Threatened species (e.g., western
silvery minnow), provincial recovery plans may be
developed to satisfy both national and provincial
requirements. Alberta also participates on national
recovery teams for federally listed species that occur
in the province.

INTRODUCTION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INTRODUCTION. ..CONTINUED

FIGURE 6: Provincial and National Species at Risk Program Integration

FEDERAL NATIONAL ALBERTA

General Status of General Status of

Wild Species in Canada ^ Alberta Wild Species

^ \

Federal

Government

COSEWIC <

Legal

Designation

(under Species at Risk /let)

RENEW <

Implementation <-

- - -► ssc

(biological assessment)

ESCC

(conservation advice)

Provincial

Minister

Legal Designation

(under Wildlife Act)

► Recovery Planning

Implementation

Parallel processes and
feedback links

SSC Scientific Subcommittee

ESCC Endangered Species Conservation Committee
COSEWIC Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
RENEW Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife Program

Future Direction

Fish and Wildlife Division staff and partners will
continue to work together to create a progressive
and responsive Species at Risk Program that
includes strong stakeholder engagement.This will
be critical for managing and conserving species
and key habitats that occur on private and crown
lands.

The next two years will see the completion of
many species assessments in preparation for the
publication of the report on the 2010 general status
of Alberta wild species.The general status exercise
will require the re-evaluation of all vertebrates,
and initial work on new taxonomic groups will
continue. Alberta will also continue to pursue policy
and related actions that will enable the province
to meet or exceed Species at Risk Act standards for
areas of provincial jurisdiction.

Communication about the provincial Species at
Risk Program to the public, non-governmental
agencies and other provincial and federal
departments will continue to be a priority.There
will conintue to be opportunities for stakeholder
involvement and participation in conservation
of species at risk through implementation of

approved recovery plans, stewardship initiatives,
and other activities. As the number of species
assessed under the provincial program increases,
additional resources will need to be allocated
toward recovery implementation.

In 1 997, a Strategy for the Management of Species at
Risk in Alberta was developed to focus the direction
of the budding provincial Species at Risk program
for the following 1 0 years. As this current Species
at Risk Program report and previous versions
before it demonstrate, many accomplishments and
milestones have been made since then, and much
has been learned as the program continues to
evolve. As such, a consultant has been contracted
to conduct a retrospective review of the Species at
Risk Program. Recommendations stemming from
that will be used in the preparation of an updated
Strategy for the program, which will set out the
direction of the Species at Risk Program over
the next 5 years.This Strategy is expected to be
completed in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

For more information about the Species at Risk
Program, visit the web site: http://srd.alberta.ca/
fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INTRODUCTION

prairie rattlesnake

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

Gordon Court

PROVINCIAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD

2nd Floor, Great West Life Bldg

9920-108 St

Edmonton, ABT5K2M4

Phone 1 780-422-9536
E-mail | Gord.Court@gov.ab.ca

Brandy Downey

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST, PRAIRIES AND SOUTHERN
MOUNTAINS

Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
YPM Place
530 -8 Streets
Lethbridge, ABT1J2J8

Phone 1 403-381-5526

E-mail | Brandy.Downey@gov.ab.ca

Robin Gutsell

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST
Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
2nd Floor, Great West Life Bldg
9920-108 St
Edmonton, ABT5K2M4

Phone 1 780-422-3412

E-mail | Robin.Gutsell@gov.ab.ca

Joel Nicholson

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST, SOUTHEAST PRAIRIES

Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD

301 Provincial Bldg

346 -3 Street SE

Medicine Hat, ABT1A0G7

Phone 1 403-528-5202

E-mail | Joel.Nicholson@gov.ab.ca

Cindy Platt

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST
Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
2nd Floor, Great West Life Bldg
9920-108 St
Edmonton, ABT5K2M4

Phone 1 780-644-8014
E-mail | Cindy.Platt@gov.ab.ca

Dave Prescott

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST, PARKLAND
Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
Suite 404, First Red Deer Place
4911-51 Street
Red Deer, ABT4N 6V4

Phone 1 403-340-4309

E-mail | Dave.Prescott@gov.ab.ca

Richard Quinlan

PROVINCIAL SPECIES AT RISK SPECIALIST
Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
YPM Place
530 -8 Streets
Lethbridge, ABT1J2J8

Phone 1 403-381-5397

E-mail | Richard.Quinlan@gov.ab.ca

ArlenTodd

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST, PRAIRIES
EP Bldg, Suite 100
31 15-12 Street NE
Calgary, ABT2E7J2

Phone 1 403-297-7349
E-mail | Arlen.Todd@gov.ab.ca

Lisa Wilkinson

SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST, FOOTHILLS
Fish and Wildlife Division, SRD
Provincial Bldg
#203, 11 1-54 Street
Edson, ABT7E 1T2

Phone 1 780-723-8556

E-mail | Lisa.Wilkinson@gov.ab.ca

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

These organizations are gratefully acknowledged for their financial and in-kind support:

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and
Counties

Alberta Beef Producers

Alberta Conservation Association

Alberta Energy

Alberta Environment

Alberta Fish and Game Association

Alberta Forest Products Association

Alberta Human Resources and Employment

- SummerTemporary Employment Program

(STEP)

Alberta Irrigation Projects Association

Alberta Native Plant Council

Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre

Alberta North American Waterfowl

Management Plan

Alberta Research Council

Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife

Foundation

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development -
Lethbridge Resource Information Unit
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development -
Lands Division and Forestry Division
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development -
Integrated Resource Services
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development-
Public Information, Education, and Outreach
Programs

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Alberta Utilities Commission
Alberta Wilderness Association
Alta Link, Ltd.

Anatum Consultants

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

Boreal Caribou Committee

Calgary Zoological Society

Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Canada Department of National Defence

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

Canadian Forces Base Suffield
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
CanFor Corporation
City of Lethbridge
City of Medicine Hat

ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corporation

Cordero Energy

County of Starland

County of Stettler

County of Warner

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Eastern Irrigation District

Elk Island National Park

EnCana Corporation

Endangered Species Recovery Fund

Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife

Service

Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Friends of Saskatoon Island Provincial Park
Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program

Government of Canada - Interdepartmental
Recovery Fund
Grasslands Naturalists
Heritage Association of Cypress Hills
Highlands Pet Hospital, Lethbridge
Hinton Environmental Training Center
Human Resources Development Canada -
Student Career Placement Program
Jacques Whitford AXYS Ltd.

Kananaskis Field Station
Lacombe County
Lethbridge Naturalists Society
Medicine Hat Fish and Game Club
Metis Association
Mikisew Cree First Nation
Mikisew Sport Fishing

Milk River Ranchers Association
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Nature Conservancy of Canada
01' MacDonald's Resort
Operation Grassland Community
Parks Canada
Petro-Canada

Pinhorn Grazing Association

Police Outpost Provincial Park

Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Association

Royal Alberta Museum

Runner's Soul, Lethbridge

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource

Management

Science Horizons Internship Program
Shell Environmental Fund
Southern Alberta Environmental Group
Special Areas Board

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

The Trumpeter Swan Society

The Wildlife Society - Alberta Chapter

Town of Magrath

Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

University of Lethbridge

Weldwood of Canada Ltd., Hinton Division

West Fraser Mills Ltd.

Western Stock Growers Association
Wood Buffalo National Park
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Significant contributions were also received from numerous
landowners and leaseholders, the ranching community,
as well as the general public and private consultants.

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

THE GENERAL STATUS EVALUATION

Program Supervisor: Gordon Court

To provide the current status of a wide range of wild species in
Alberta, as a first step in a continuing process of evaluating and
reporting on the biological status of provincial wild species.

Background

In 1996, Alberta made a commitment to the
national Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk.
As part of this commitment, all Canadian provinces
and territories are required to develop a wild
species status report every five years. This led to
the Fish and Wildlife Division's General Status of
Alberta Wild Species report.

Alberta produced the first version of a wild species
status report in 1991. A subsequent report was
issued in 2000, which contained status information
for 812 species. The most recent version, The
General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005, contains
status assessments for 2,81 1 species.

Objectives

Alberta's general status process is designed to
achieve four objectives:

• To provide information on, and raise awareness of,
the current status of a wide range of wild species
in Alberta;

• To stimulate broad public input in more clearly
defining the status of individual species;

• To produce a list of candidate species for more
detailed status evaluations; and

• To provide a reference for provincial government
agencies in the development of wild species
conservation and management programs.

Methods

The General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005
report was produced through a collaborative effort
of the Fish and Wildlife Division, the Alberta Natural
Heritage Information Centre, the academic research
community, and many knowledgeable individuals
(taxonomic experts, local and regional naturalists).

Assessments were based on the best available
information on population sizes, distribution,
trends, and threats.These assessments are repeated
every five years to provide trend information on
species' status over time. Such knowledge serves as
an early detection system for the Government of
Alberta, to allow informed decisions to protect and
conserve those species in decline and in need of
attention.

Each five-year report aims to incorporate new
data for species previously assessed, and increase
the number and variety of species assessed. Until
2000 the general status reports were printed in a
hardcopy report format but in 2005 a searchable
web interface was introduced.

Report Highlights

The General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005
includes three groups never before assessed:
vascular plants, bivalves and odonates.

Plants comprised the largest species group
studied (1868 species), followed by birds (41 1
species), butterflies (163 species), gastropods (97
species), mammals (93 species), odonates (72
species), fish (61 species), bivalves (28 species),
amphibians (10 species) and reptiles (8 species).

Summary results indicate that most (56%) of
the 2529 Alberta wild species for which status
could be determined are Secure throughout the
province. Fewer than 1 3% are in risk categories: At
Risk (about 1 %) and May Be at Risk (1 2%). Of the
remaining species assessed, 14% are considered
Sensitive, and 17% are in categories including
Accidental/vagrant, or Exotic/Alien. Across
species groups, the proportion of Secure species
is highly variable - ranging from a low of 0% for
reptiles to a high of 63% for butterflies.

Freshwater fish have the highest proportion
of Exotic species, those species that have
been intentionally or accidentally introduced,
accounting for 1 6% of species in total. Some of
these exotic species have the potential to cause
ecological disturbance in aquatic communities by
affecting native fish, amphibian, and invertebrate
species.

Future Direction

The next general status assessment will occur in
2010. It is anticipated that the 2010 version will
be expanded to include tiger beetles and some
non-vascular plants.

REGION:

Provincial

TARGET SPECIES:

At Risk/May Be at Risk/

Sensitive/Undetermined

species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

All

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

All

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association

For more

information contact:

Gordon Court (seepage 7)

The General Status of Alberta Wild
Spedes2005 Online Report:
www.albertawildspecies.ca

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

STATUS ASSESSMENT
AND LEGAL LISTING

DETAILED STATUS REPORTS

Project Supervisors: Sue Peters (ACA), Nyree Sharp (ACA), Robin Gutsell, and Lisa Matthias

REGION:

Provincial

TARGET SPECIES:

Numerous

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

Endangered, Threatened, and
non-game

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk/May Be at Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association

For more

information contact:

Robin Gutsell (see page 7) or
Sue Peters

(Sue.Peters@ab-conservation.com)

Detailed Status Reports online:

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/

status/

To initiate and guide the completion of new detailed status reports,
and to post recently published reports on the Fish and Wildlife
Division website.

Background

Wild species in Alberta that May Be at Risk
receive detailed status evaluations (see page
2). The Alberta Wildlife Status Report series
builds on the general status exercise, and
provides comprehensive summaries of the
biological status of selected wildlife species in
Alberta. These detailed status reports profile all
current, relevant and available information for
a species in a single document. They provide
important information to the Endangered
Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) and
its Scientific Subcommittee to help them in
recommending status and conservation actions
for a species.They are also an important tool to
Fish and Wildlife Division staff for implementing
conservation initiatives.

Methods

Qualified individuals were contracted to prepare
reports. Each report was subjected to a review by
species experts from outside the Fish and Wildlife
Division.

Results

Eleven new reports were completed during
the four fiscal years.These included reports for
sage thrasher ( Oreoscoptes montanus), arctic
grayling ( Thymallus arcticus), barred owl ( Strix
varia), tiny cryptanthe ( Cryptantha minima),
slender mouse-ear-cress ( Halimolobos virgata),
Weidemeyer's admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii),
Porsild's bryum (Bryum porsildii), western
grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis), westslope
cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii),
limber pine ( Pinus f I exit is), and whitebark pine
( Pinus albicaulis). Reports are underway for
Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,
western small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum),
woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)
update, Verna's flower moth (Schinia verna),
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus).TUere
are now a total of 63 detailed status reports
published in the series.

Recommendation and Future Direction

Additional reports will be commissioned in the
2008-2009 fiscal year.

FORMAL DESIGNATION OF SPECIES

Project Supervisors: Gordon Court, Robin Gutsell and Lisa Matthias

To provide formal recognition of a species' status in Alberta,
so that necessary protections are afforded, and appropriate
management actions are implemented.

Results

Table 1 summarizes new species' designations as
approved by the Minister of Sustainable Resource
Development between April 2004 and March
2008. Endangered and Threatened species are
designated in the Wildlife Act; Species of Special
Concern and Data Deficient species are not legal
designations in the Wildlife Act.

TABLE 1 : New Species Designations Approved

Between April 2004 and March 2008

Species

Date of
Ministerial
Approval

Status

Recom-

mendation1

Bison

June 2004

St. Marysculpin

June 2004

Mountain plover

June 2004

Banff springs snail

June 2004

Stonecat

Sept 2004

Tiny cryptanthe

Mar 2005

Western blue flag

Dec 2005

SC2

Slender mouse-ear-cress

Dec 2005

Barred owl

Dec 2005

Arctic grayling

May 2006

Short-horned lizard

May 2006

Weidermeyer's admiral

May 2006

Burrowing owl3-4

June 2006

Western grebe

Jan 2007

Ferruginous hawk4

May 2007

Porsild's bryum

Dec 2007

Westslope cutthroat trout5

Dec 2007

1 EN = Endangered; TH = Threatened; SC = Species of Special Concern;
DD = Data Deficient

2 Downlisted from Threatened

3 Uplisted from Threatened

4 Re-evaluation

REGION:

Provincial

TARGET SPECIES:

Numerous

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

Endangered, Threatened, Non-game
and Birds of Prey

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk, May be at Risk, Sensitive

For more

information contact:

Robin Gutsell ( seepage 7)

Species listed under the Wildlife Act
and new species assessed by the
ESCC:

http://www.srd.alberta.ca/

fishwildlife/escc/currentlylisted.aspx

<►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

STATUS ASSESSMENT
AND LEGAL LISTING

prevention, conservation

and stewardship projects

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RESEARCHING AMPHIBIAN NUMBERS IN ALBERTA (RANA)

Project Supervisors: Lisa Wilkinson and Robin Gutsell

purpose

To continue long-term monitoring of amphibian populations in the
different biomes of the province, and to promote public education
about amphibians and wetland conservation.

Background

The Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta
(RANA) program was initiated in 1997 to begin
long-term monitoring and raise public awareness
about the importance of amphibians and wetland
habitat. In 2004-2008, monitoring occurred at six
sites: Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, Lesser Slave
Lake Provincial Park, Meanook Biological Field
Station, Athabasca Valley (Hinton area), Bow Valley
(Kananaskis area), and Cypress Hills Provincial Park,
although monitoring was limited at several sites
in years with less funding. A new survey area in
southeastern Alberta, representing the Grassland
Natural Region, was added to the RANA program
in 2005.

Methods

Pitfall trapping occurred at one primary
monitoring pond per site (except the Grassland
site); captured amphibians were identified to
species, then aged, measured, weighed, and
released. Further, a number of ponds within each
RANA area were visually surveyed for evidence
of breeding amphibians (e.g., eggs or larvae). In
the Grassland region, road transects were used
to listen for calling amphibians. Road transects
targeted Great Plains toad and plains spadefoot,
both of which only breed during high precipitation
events. Education initiatives included school talks
and activities, interpretative talks and guided hikes
at parks, newspaper articles, and displays.

Results

Long-toed salamanders, wood frogs, boreal toads,
boreal chorus frogs, northern leopard frogs, tiger
salamanders, and Columbia spotted frogs were
captured in pitfall traps. Visual pond surveys
detected all of the above except tiger salamanders.
Wood frogs were generally the most common
species. Amphibian species diversity was highest at
ponds in the Athabasca and Bow valleys.There was
a notable absence of Canadian toad observations.
The road transects detected boreal chorus frogs
and plains spadefoot.

Frequent fluctuations in capture rates and
presence at ponds for all amphibian species over
the course of the RANA program have made it
difficult to determine trends.Thus far, it appears
that northern leopard frogs in the Cypress Hills,
as well as wood frogs, boreal chorus frogs and
boreal toads, are relatively stable, and long-toed
salamander populations have slightly declined.
There are insufficient data to comment on the
other species. Caution must be used when
interpreting these data as they represent general
trends based on limited monitoring periods.
Long-term monitoring is required to understand
population trends.

Educational activities reached one thousand to
several thousand people each year.

In 2005, a workshop arranged by the G8 Legacy
Chair in Wildlife Ecology, University of Calgary,
was held in Kananaskis and taught 1 6 volunteers
about local amphibians and how to conduct
surveys.

Recommendations and Future Direction

Amphibian populations fluctuate and are
affected by environmental conditions; therefore,
long-term monitoring is required to detect
population trends. Continued monitoring at the
the RANA sites for which continuous data have
been collected is recommended, with increased
effort to conduct surveys for the Canadian toad
in central Alberta. Education activities should
also continue, emphasizing the important role of
amphibians and wetlands.

REGION:

Provincial

TARGET SPECIES:

Canadian Toad ( Bufo
hemiophrys ), Columbia Spotted
Frog ( Rana luteiventris ), Great
Plains Toad ( Bufocognatus ),
Long-toed Salamander
( Ambystoma macrodactylum),
Northern Leopard Frog ( Rana
pipiens ), Plains Spadefoot
[Spea bombifrons), Western Toad
(i Bufoboreas ), Boreal Chorus
Frog ( Pseudacris maculata ),

Tiger Salamander ( Ambystoma
tigrinum ), Wood Frog ( Rana
sylvatica)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

Threatened, Non-game, and
Non-licence

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk, May Be at Risk, Sensitive,
and Secure

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Alberta Tourism,
Parks and Recreation,
Heritage Association of
Cypress Hills, Hinton Wood
Products (a division of West
Fraser Mills Ltd.) Human
Resources Development
Canada — Student Career
Placement Program,
Kananaskis Field Station,
University of Alberta, and
University of Calgary G8
Legacy Chair in Wildlife
Ecology

For more

information contact:

Lisa Wilkinson or Robin Gutsell

(seepage/).

Related Species at Risk reports:
No.74,83, 95, 110

«►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

MAGRATH NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG
REINTRODUCTION PROJECT

Project Supervisor: Richard Quinlan

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES: To re-establish a breeding population of northern leopard frogs in

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana formerly occupied native habitat in the area of Magrath, Alberta.

pipiens)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Town of Magrath,
Landowners Buck
Cunningham and DeVar
Dahl

For more

information contact:

Richard Quinlan [see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 104

◄>

Background

Northern leopard frogs were once abundant in
Magrath natural areas around Pothole Creek, but
vanished in the 1970s.The northern leopard frog
reintroduction project in Magrath pre-dated the
establishment of a provincial recovery team.lt
was set in motion by two local residents, Buck
Cunningham and DeVar Dahl, who requested
that Fish and Wildlife Division reintroduce
northern leopard frogs into historic native habitat
in the area.

Methods

Water quality and late-winter dissolved oxygen
testing was done to prioritize reintroduction
ponds in the Magrath area, resulting in selection
of one pond for egg rearing and release of
tadpoles. Egg masses were collected in three
subsequent years from three different source
ponds and creeks, two within the South
Saskatchewan River Basin (near Medicine Hat),
and one from a nearby location within the
Milk River Basin. They were transported and
introduced into rearing sites near Magrath,
where they were placed in floating aquatic
predator exclosures for the duration of the
rearing period. The development of egg masses
was monitored until hatchlings had developed
into mobile tadpoles, at which time the tadpoles
were counted and released directly into suitable
habitat. Post-release monitoring was done by
walking transects within a pre-defined study area
from late July to early October. Local
news releases were issued before
and during the project, to
keep residents informed.

Ongoing communication was maintained with
the two Magrath residents who had requested
the initiation of this project.

Results

Northern leopard frog egg mass transplants
were completed in 2003, 2004 and 2005. A total
of 8 502 tadpoles were released over the three
years in a pond known locally as Dudley's Pond.
Successful overwintering and emergence of
northern leopard frogs has been documented
each year since 2003. Frogs have dispersed to
nearby Pothole Creek, where further dispersal
has been documented up to 1 0 kilometres
downstream and several kilometres upstream
along the creek and associated wetlands.

Recommendations and Future Direction

The Magrath Northern Leopard Frog Project
was established as a pilot project to assess the
effectiveness of local transplants using small-
scale, on-site rearing of eggs. Direct monitoring
associated with the project was completed
in 2006, but infrequent monitoring has
continued to document annual overwintering,
reproduction, and dispersal. Some of the
techniques used in the Magrath reintroduction
project have been further adapted for use in the
province-wide reintroduction program.

northern leopard frog

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE RESEARCH AND
CONSERVATION PROJECTS

Project Supervisor: Joel Nicholson

To pursue a better understanding of the population size, structure,
and reproductive characteristics of prairie rattlesnakes in Alberta,
and to assess the effects of industrial development, urbanization, and
agriculture on this species.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus
viridis viridis)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Non-game

Background

The prairie rattlesnake is found throughout
much of western North America. In Alberta, this
species is primarily distributed along major river
drainages in the southeastern portion of the
province. Historically, the prairie rattlesnake was
found as far north asTrochu,and as far west as
Calgary. The range has apparently contracted
toward the east and south since that time, but
seems to have stabilized.

The prairie rattlesnake is at the northern edge
of its North American range in Alberta, and the
availability of suitable overwintering hibernacula
is likely a major factor limiting abundance and
distribution. This species has a low reproductive
rate, and as such would be slow to recover from
population declines.

Current threats to this species include the loss
of native grassland habitat, mortality associated
with intentional killings, agricultural activity,
industrial development, urbanization, and most of
all, road mortality.

Methods

Several projects aimed at better understanding
prairie rattlesnakes in Alberta have been
undertaken in recent years.These have included:

• Radio telemetry studies using surgically
implanted radio transmitters. An M.Sc. student
from the University of Calgary tracked
rattlesnakes to assess habitat use, mortality, and
reproductive frequency.

• A mark-recapture study at a large hibernaculum
to assess the population at this well-known den
site. Microchips were used to mark snakes in
order to identify individuals.

• The provincial Snake Road Kill Monitoring
Program continues to collect locations of snake
mortality from observers across the province.

Results

Radio telemetry research is ongoing, however
some results can be found in the Alberta Species
at Risk Program Report No. 103.

Mark-recapture activities have resulted in the
confirmation of a large and apparently healthy
population of prairie rattlesnakes at one den
site on the Red Deer River drainage. Population
estimates at the site exceeded 1 000 individuals.

The Road Kill Monitoring Program continues to
receive numerous locations of snake mortality
from various areas across the province. Data have
been used to determine appropriate locations
for signs at mortality hot spots that remind
drivers to watch for snakes on the roads.

Recommendations and Future Direction

Recommendations coming out of this project are
as follows:

1 ) Continue assessment of prairie rattlesnake
populations as opportunities and funding
allow, using mark-recapture, den monitoring,
and other available tools.

2) Continue collecting data on road mortality
of prairie rattlesnake across southern Alberta
through the provincial Road Kill Monitoring
Program.

3) Pursue research to adequately assess the risk
to snakes across the landscape related to
vehicle-induced mortality.

4) Pursue initiatives aimed at locating unknown
overwintering dens and place protective
notations on crown lands to ensure
protection of these critical sites.

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

May Be at Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Alberta Sport,
Recreation, Parks and Wildlife
Foundation, Petro-Canada,
University of Calgary, Local
ranchers

For more

information contact:

Joel Nicholson ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 81, 103, 109

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

loggerhead shrike

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

FERRUGINOUS HAWK DESIGN PROTOCOL AND INVENTORY

Project Supervisors: Brandy Downey and Richard Quinlan

To standardize an inventory protocol to ensure that meaningful
comparisons of ferruginous hawk populations can be made across
years.

Background

The provincial ferruginous hawk inventory was
initiated in 1982 by Dr. Josef Schmutz. Inventories
were carried out for the species every five years
(1982, 1 987, 1 992). In 2000 the Fish and Wildlife
Division took over responsibility for these surveys.
At that time the species was designated as
Threatened under Aiberta's Wildlife Act, and had
recently (1998) been down-listed to a Species
of Special Concern federally.The inventory
completed in 2000 showed a significant population
decline; however, the confidence intervals for the
population estimate were extremely high. As a
result, a re-evaluation of the survey protocol was
initiated in 2003 (Taylor 2003) and the inventory
was completed again in 2005.

Methods

Based on the information available and the
logistical constraints of the project, Taylor (2003)
suggested four major changes to the existing
inventory protocol:

1 ) increase the number of quadrats from 87 to 1 50;

2) stratify the quadrats based on available habitat;

3) complete annual trend monitoring of a
subsample of quadrats to determine trends
between inventory years; and

4) complete Richardson's ground squirrel surveys
on 30 ferruginous hawk quadrats to determine
predator/prey relationship.

In 2005 a second review of the survey protocol was
carried out (Saunders 2005), which elaborated on
theTaylor (2003) recommendations.These included
the following changes:

1) increase the number of survey quadrats;

2) stratify the quadrats into two strata (< 50%
and >50% native prairie habitat) with 60% of
surveys occurring in the >50% native prairie
habitat or"high"strata;and

3) decrease the project area to the 1 987-1992
areas.

In 2005 the ferruginous hawk inventory was
carried out on 1 50 quadrats in the core area of the

Grassland Natural Region. The recommendations
made by Taylor and Saunders were adopted by the
Fish and Wildlife Division. In addition to the 2005
inventory, subsamples of 30 quadrats were sampled
in 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. In each of these 30
quadrats, Richardson's ground squirrel surveys were
completed in April of each survey year (Downey
2003).

Results

The 2005 inventory showed a drastic population
decline since 1 992. The population was estimated at
61 8+/- 1 62 ferruginous hawk pairs in the Grassland
Natural Region of Alberta. The trend surveys
carried out in 2003,2004,2005,2006, 2007 showed
that the population has stabilized, suggesting
that the decline took place sometime between
1992 and 2000. Because of the new information
from the 2005 inventory, the ferruginous hawk
was re-evaluated by the Endangered Species
Conservation Committee and the species was
legislated Endangered under Alberta's Wildlife Act
in November 2006. A recovery plan is currently in
development (see page 38).

In addition, the Richardson's ground squirrel
transects illustrated a significant predator/prey
relationship with the ferruginous hawk.The data
from these surveys are currently being analyzed by
the Alberta Conservation Association.

Recommendations and Future Direction

The provincial ferruginous hawk inventory
should be completed again in 2010 to determine
population changes since 2005. Annual trend
monitoring surveys should be continued by Fish
and Wildlife Division in order to measure the
population trend between inventory years. The
Richardson's ground squirrel data collection
through the joint partnership between Fish and
Wildlife and the Alberta Conservation Association
should be continued.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Ferruginous Hawk ( Buteo
Regalis)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association

For more

information contact:

Brandy Downey ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 52, 69, 70, 101

«►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

BIRDS

WESTERN GREBES OF CENTRAL ALBERTA
SURVEYS AND MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

Project Supervisor: HughWollis

REGION:

Woodlands, Lac La Biche

TARGET SPECIES:

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus
occidentalis)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Non-game

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Sensitive

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Most funding and some
manpower for this project
was provided by the
Canadian Wildlife Service
and the Alberta Conservation
Association

For more

information contact:

HughWollis

(Hugh.Wollis@gov.ab.ca )

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 41, 60, 94

To gather data on western grebes to help assess their status and
provide direction for conservation and management.

Background

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor
population trends and distribution of the
colonial nesting western grebes ( Aechmophorus
occidentalis) in Alberta. Western grebes are
currently listed as a Species of Special Concern
but until this project, no comprehensive gathering
of data for Alberta had been done.The study
began in the Stony Plain Area and, over seven
years, has expanded to include areas of Alberta
where western grebes have been known to occur,
primarily in the north-central portion of Alberta
from Utikuma Lake to Cold Lake to Buffalo Lake.

Results

Western grebes were found on 1 4 lakes in Alberta.
The estimated population on all lakes surveyed
was 1 0 738 adults, which represents about 1 0%
of the world's population. Although two lakes
that historically had large colonies have yet to be
surveyed, and there may be a few lakes with very
low numbers of breeding birds, it is suspected
that the survey has not missed any significant
numbers.The largest colonies currently are found
in the northern limit of the range - Cold Lake,

Lesser Slave Lake and Lac La Biche.These lakes are
relatively remote and largely undeveloped. Buffalo
Lake, the most southerly lake with a large colony
is an exception. However, the colony is located in a
remote and undisturbed portion of the lake. These
birds select lakes with fish, their primary food. They
have specific requirements for nesting sites, namely
large Scirpus (bulrush) beds along a
relatively undisturbed shoreline.

Of concern is the unexplained loss or marked
reduction in colonies in several lakes.Thunder
Lake had a colony in the 1 960s but only a few
birds have returned in recent years. Utikuma Lake,
which supported a colony of over 1000 nests in
2000, was reduced to only a couple dozen birds in
2006.These two situations may have developed
as a result of winterkills offish in the lake.The
population at Lac Ste. Anne has dropped from
more than 500 nests to fewer than 1 00 in the past
few years.The western grebes at Lake Wabamun,
where the colony in the early part of the study
numbered over 500 nests, have fluctuated
downwards; then in 2005, more than 300 grebes
were known to have been killed by an oil spill.
These incidents underlie the tenuous nature of
this bird in Alberta.

Recommendations and Future Direction

Surveys are set to continue in 2008; the western
grebe will also be up for reassessment by the
ESCC in the near future.

♦

western grebe

BIRDS

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

BUFFALO LAKE MONITORING PROJECT

Project Supervisor: Dave Prescott

To prioritize shoreline areas based on the abundance and relative
conservation importance of avian species around the lake, and to
highlight areas where the protection of important bird habitats
should be incorporated into land-use decisions.

Background

Buffalo Lake is one of the largest lakes in central
Alberta. The lake has been recognized by
numerous authorities as being important for
wildlife, and most notably for breeding water
birds. However, the lake is becoming increasingly
popular for recreational and other developments.
Several planning exercises are underway that
will guide development and land use around
Buffalo Lake in the future. In 2007, the Fish and
Wildlife Division, with support from local partners,
conducted a comprehensive survey of bird
species around Buffalo Lake.

Methods

A total of 687 circular point counts (1 00 m in
radius, 6-min in duration) were completed around
the entire shoreline of Buffalo Lake between 29
May and 30 June 2007. Counts were centered
on the shoreline of the lake, with half of each
count sampling areas covered by water (including
emergent vegetation), and the remaining half
sampling upland habitats. Each count was
assigned a value according to a formula that
incorporated the abundance of each species
observed in a count, and the risk of extirpation
of each species in the province as determined by
the General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005 (see
page 9). Values for counts were then divided into
LOW (42.1% of counts), MEDIUM (36.2%), HIGH
(16.4%) or VERY HIGH (5.2%) classes, reflecting the
conservation value of each segment of shoreline
around the lake.

Results

A total of 1 25 species of birds were detected
during point counts, and an additional 20 species
of birds were encountered during other activities
on the lake. Thirty of these species were classified
as Sensitive status in Alberta; no species of

higher risk status (At Risk or May Be at Risk) were
present in 2007.The resulting areas of HIGH or
VERY HIGH conservation value were therefore
heavily influenced by the distribution of Sensitive
species. These areas included the western parts
of Secondary Bay, areas around Parlby Bay and the
Narrows, emergent vegetation offshore from Scenic
Sands, Bird Island, areas around the entrance and
north end of Foreleg Bay, portions of Bashaw Bay,
and the basin between Bashaw Bay and Foreleg
Bay. These areas included significant colonies of
several Sensitive species including horned grebes,
western grebes, American white pelicans, great blue
herons, black-crowned night-herons, Forster's terns
and black terns, as well as significant aggregations
of secure species such as California gulls, Franklin's
gulls, ring-billed gulls, eared grebes, double-crested
cormorants, and marsh wrens.

Water levels on Buffalo Lake were unusually high
in 2007, but comparisons with historical records
suggest that many of the high-priority areas are
consistent across years. However, some species
shift their distributions from year to year, and
continued study of Buffalo Lake in other years, and
during different times of the year are needed to
fully assess the value of shoreline habitats to birds.

Recommendations and Future Direction

This project was completed in 2007.The results
of this survey will be a valuable resource for
identifying high-priority conservation areas for
future land-use planning initiatives on Buffalo Lake.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

At Risk/May Be at Risk/
Undetermined species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Varied

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Although the Species at
Risk program provided
manpower for this project,
the following agencies
financially supported this
project: Alberta Environment,
Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development - Lands Division
and Forestry Division, Cordero
Energy, County ofStettler,
andLacombe County.

Other cooperating agencies
include Alberta Conservation
Association, Ducks Unlimited,
01' MacDonald's Resort, and
numerous landowners

For more

information contact:

Dave Prescott [see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report:

No. 115

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

BIRDS

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

ANALYSIS OF OWL PELLETS TO DETERMINE
STATUS OF SMALL MAMMALS

Project Supervisor: Roy Schmelzeisen (ACA)

To update our knowledge of the distribution and relative abundance
of many species of small mammals in Alberta.

Background

Analysis of prey remains found in owl pellets
is an effective means of sampling certain small
mammal species. Previous owl pellet analyses done
in a relatively small region in the grasslands of
Alberta have revealed that some species are more
abundant than records obtained through trapping
methods suggest.To expand on this knowledge,
the Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development and the Royal
Alberta Museum initiated a broad-scale collection
and analysis of owl pellets in 2000 within Alberta's
Grassland and Parkland natural regions. Species
at Risk Program funds directed toward this project
during this 2004-2008 reporting period covered
some costs associated with analyses of collected
pellets.

Methods

Pellets were collected between April and
September in 2000 and 2001, from great horned
owls ( Bubo virginianus) as they are non-migratory
and highly opportunistic hunters common to the
grassland and parkland natural regions of Alberta.
Small mammal remains from the owl pellets were
compared to specimens from the Royal Alberta
Museum and the University of Alberta Museum Of
Zoology. Dental patterns of molar teeth were the
primary means of identifying species of mammals
with otherwise similar skeletal structures. As the
purpose of the study was to determine small
mammal distributions and abundances, efforts
were focused on identifying small mammal
specimens and less effort was given to identifying
remains from other taxonomic groups.

Results

In total, animal remains from 1 2 1 02 specimens and
212 sites were examined and identified; of those, 10
862 mammal specimens were identified to species.
These specimens represented 24 different species
that included 1 6 rodent, 5 shrew and 3 weasel
species.

Sagebrush voles ( Lemmiscus curtatus), northern
grasshopper mice {Onychomys leucogaster), prairie
voles ( Microtus ochrogaster),and olive-backed
pocket mice ( Perognathus fasciatus) were found
frequently in pellets and were often found
outside of their currently known range. This
information suggests that these species have
larger ranges than was previously known. The
abundant occurrence of prairie vole remains in
the collection assisted in clarifying the status
and range of prairie voles in Alberta in The
General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005. Few
remains were found for thirteen-lined ground
squirrels ( Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and
long-tailed weasels ( Mustela frenata) and no
identifiable remains were found for Franklin's
ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii),

Ord's kangaroo rats ( Dipodomys ordii), or western-
harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis).

Recommendations and Future Direction

This form of data collection is effective for certain
species of small mammals for several reasons:

1 . it captures data on some species that are not
easily captured by other methods (e.g., snap
trapping);

2. there is no need to kill additional specimens,
some of which may be of rare or Endangered
species; and

3. it facilitates efficient study across broad study
areas.

There are several avenues for further study:

1 ) owl pellets could be collected again from the
same areas to investigate temporal variation
in abundances of small mammal species;

2) owl pellets could be collected within the
Grassland and Parkland natural regions
that were missed by previous collection
endeavours; and

3) such research could potentially be conducted
within the Boreal Forest, Foothills, or Rocky
Mountain natural regions if nest locations are
recorded or nest boxes set up.

REGION:

Prairies, Lac La Biche,
Woodlands

TARGET SPECIES:

Varied

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

Non-game and Non-licence

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk, May Be at Risk,
Undetermined

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Royal Alberta
Museum, volunteer
naturalists

For more

information contact:

Gordon Court ( seepage 7) or

Roy Schmelzeisen

(Roy.Schmelzeisen@ab-conservation

.com)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 17

<0*

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

MAMMALS

(illustration courtesy of M.Curteanu)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

SURVEY OF AQUATIC GASTROPODS IN

THE CENTRAL PARKLAND SUBREGION OF ALBERTA

Project Supervisor: Dave Prescott

purpose

To update the distribution and relative abundance of many species of
aquatic molluscs in Alberta.

Background

Despite their importance in wetland systems,
few studies have focused on aquatic mollusks
in Alberta. Our current understanding for many
species is too limited to accurately determine their
range, habitat requirements and biological status.
Twenty-four (30%) of 80 recognized species or
subspecies of aquatic gastropods and bivalves are
currently listed as being of Undetermined general
status in the province because of poor information
(Clifford 2001,Lepitzki 2001). Of those that can
be classified, almost half are deemed to be either
Sensitive, May Be at Risk or At Risk. Most authorities
urge that current information be enhanced through
extensive inventory efforts. In 2001, a detailed
inventory of aquatic mollusks in the Central
Parkland Subregion of central Alberta (representing
approximately 8% of the province). Our ultimate
goal was to clarify the biological risk of many
species that are currently classified as being of
Undetermined status in the province. This update
deals only with the aquatic gastropods; analysis of
bivalves will be reported in future updates.

Methods

To ensure representative sampling over a wide
area, we collected samples from (when available)
one creek, one river, one pond and one lake within
each of the 1 :50 000 map sheets that encompass
the subregion. Samples were collected primarily
with hand nets and Eckman dredges. We recorded
pH and conductivity with handheld meters at
each site. Samples were later sorted and identified
based on morphological characteristics, following
nomenclature of Lepitkzi (2001 ) and Turgeon et al.
(1998).

Results

Sampling was conducted at a total of 1 97 sites (43
creeks, 67 lakes, 32 rivers and 55 ponds) between
1 4 July and 5 September 2001 .Waterbodies ranged
in pH from 6.0 to 1 0.7, and in conductivity from
0.24 to 1 19.1 mS. Seventeen sites (8.7%), generally
alkali lakes and ponds, contained no aquatic

gastropods. Of the 180 sites that supported
aquatic gastropods, a total of 31 904 identifiable
specimens of 32 species or subspecies were
found. Valvata tricarinata was the most abundant
species, in terms of both total numbers of
specimens collected (9448) and mean number
of individuals/sample (304.8). The most widely
distributed species (live or dead specimens)
was Gyraulus deflectus (54.8% of sites). The
most widely distributed species based on the
occurrence of live specimens was Physella gyrina
(25.4% of sites). Twenty-one species (65.6% of
total) were found at less than 1 0 sites in the
Central Parkland Subregion. Species showed
wide tolerances to water conditions, and several
species were found at pH values as high as 1 0.7.

We identified one species, Plonorbella
campanulata,\Nh\ch has not previously been
recorded in Alberta. A single shell of Ferrissia
fragilis, apparently the second record for
Alberta, was retrieved from a site 15 km north
of Edmonton. A notable range extension was
observed for Planorbella pilsbryi infrocarinatum,
which was found at three sites in the Battle River
system in the western half of the region. The
species was previously known in Alberta only
from Lac La Biche.

Recommendations and Future Direction

Based on information collected in this inventory,
the current status of four species may require
revision: Valvata tricarinata (currently listed as
Sensitive) was found to be widespread, abundant
and tolerant of a broad range of water conditions;
Aplexa elongata (currently Secure) was sparsely
distributed and of low abundance; Gyraulus
crista (currently Sensitive) was common and
widespread; and Menetus opercuiaris (currently
May Be at Risk) had a broad distribution and was
locally abundant. Substantial new information
was provided that will help clarify the status of
many other species in the province. However,
resolution of outstanding taxonomic issues
and completion of inventories in other areas of
Alberta will be necessary to accomplish this task.

REGION:

Prairies, Woodlands, Lada
Biche

TARGET SPECIES:

At Risk, May Be at Risk,
Undetermined species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

None

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, North American
Waterfowl Management Plan,
Royal Alberta Museum

For more

information contact:

Dave Prescott (see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 92

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

INVERTEBRATES

yucca (soapweed)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

Project Supervisors: Robin Gutsell and Lisa Matthias

purpose

To engage volunteer plant enthusiasts, "citizen scientists/'to search
for new locations and monitor known sites of select plant and lichen
species in Alberta, to provide much needed data for detailed status
assessment and for use in conservation and planning.

Background

The 2005 General Status of Wild Species in
Alberta report identified a large number of
vascular plant species that may be at risk in the
province. Unfortunately, most of these species
lack sufficient information on their populations
and distributions to allow them to undergo a
detailed status assessment. The Adopt-a-Plant
Alberta program was initiated in 2005 to address
the need to gather more information on rare
plants and lichens to assist with provincial
status assessments. The program was designed
to provide the training and variety of support
services needed to facilitate the collection of
standardized data on rare plants by citizen
scientists. Agencies involved with developing the
program include Alberta Species at Risk Program,
Alberta Native Plant Council, Alberta Natural
Heritage Information Centre, Prairie and Northern
Plant Diversity Centre, Federation of Alberta
Naturalists, and an independent lichenologist.

Adopt-a-Plant Alberta trains volunteer plant
enthusiasts from across Alberta to identify
and record observations of rare species across
the province. Data collected by volunteers
are provided to the Alberta Natural Heritage
Information Centre, which tracks information
on Alberta's plant and animal biodiversity. The
information is available to be used in detailed
status assessments and is also available
to industry and other land users to "flag"
occurrences of rare species to help mitigate
effects of development and other land uses on
these species.

The scope and capacity of the program have
evolved since its inception; in addition to
a focus on inventory and data collection
for potentially at-risk species, the program
integrates with ongoing provincial recovery
efforts. Adopt-a-Plant Alberta contributes to
recovery actions for plant species at risk through
education and awareness, providing survey and
monitoring support, promoting stewardship

and contributing directly to stewardship and
management activities, and providing any
additional support requested by recovery
teams. The program also has fostered a
relationship with the Nature Conservancy
of Canada (NCC); Adopt-a-Plant Alberta
volunteers assist NCC by carrying out surveys
and providing data for rare plants on NCC
properties, which helps this organization
steward its land, and NCC provides
opportunities for volunteers to take part in
habitat stewardship initiatives. Overall, these
collaborations will enhance Adopt-a-Plant
Alberta volunteers' knowledge about species
at risk and habitat stewardship, which they may
promote within their own communities across
Alberta.

Methods

Each spring, Adopt-a-Plant Alberta conducts
training workshops in two locations in
Alberta (one north and one south). At these
workshops, professional botanists, academics
and resource management professionals
train volunteers on how to identify and
survey for rare plants, how to use GPS units
and topographical maps, and field safety.
Volunteers "adopt" one or more rare species
from a prioritized list of species. During the
spring and summer, volunteers search for
new occurrences of their adopted species
or monitor it at locations where it has been
previously identified. Several group field
events are planned each summer to allow
volunteers to assist resource management
agencies, private stewardship organizations
(NCC), and plant species at risk recovery
programs with specific conservation or habitat
stewardship initiatives. Most recently, 2007
field events included a rare plant survey of
a NCC property and population surveys of
at risk species including western spiderwort
[Tradescantia occidentalis) and tiny cryptanthe
( Cryptantha minima).

REGION:

Provincial

TARGET SPECIES:

At Risk, May Be at Risk,
Sensitive, Undetermined
species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Varied

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Native Plant Council,
Alberta Natural Heritage
Information Centre, Alberta
Sport, Recreation, Parks
and Wildlife Foundation,
Alberta Tourism, Parks and
Recreation, Calgary Zoological
Society, Canadian Wildlife
Service, Canadian Forest
Service Northern Forestry
Centre, City of Edmonton,
Coyote Coulee Seeds,

Devonian Botanic Garden,
Environment Canada Habitat
Stewardship Program,
Enviroscapes, Federation
of Alberta Naturalists,
Grasslands Naturalists,
Jacques Whitford AXYS
Ltd., Nature Conservancy
of Canada, Parks Canada,
Prairie & Northern Plant
Diversity Centre, Royal Alberta
Museum, Shell Canada, TD
Friends of the Environment,
TERA Environmental
Consulting, University of
Alberta, University of Calgary

For more

information contact:

Lisa Matthias or Robin Gutsell

(seepage/)

Adopt a Plant website:
www.ab.adoptaplant.ca

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

PLANTS

ADOPT-A-PLANT ALBERTA PROGRAM...CONTINUED

Results

Volunteers began fieldwork for the program in
2006. In that year, 33 volunteers found 1 5 species
of rare plants. In 2007, a total of 41 volunteers
found 20 species. Some of these occurrences were
historical sites that were relocated and others
were new sites. Other achievements over the
first two years of implementation included hiring
of a program coordinator; development of an
interactive program website; successful advertising,
promotion, and fundraising; engagement of
increasing numbers of (returning) volunteers;
integration with ongoing recovery programs and
other relevant agencies; and volunteer recognition
events. An Alberta Species at Risk report is in
preparation to summarize work completed by the
program since its inception in 2005.

Recommendations and Future Direction

In 2008, the program will focus data collection
activities on a smaller number of rare species in
an attempt to collect sufficient data to carry out
detailed status assessments in the near future.
Volunteers will continue to receive training and
support for species adopted in previous years, but
there will be a concerted effort for data collection
for 3-4 species. Planning is also underway for
volunteers to participate in several conservation
and habitat stewardship activities undertaken
by recovery teams/programs for tiny cryptanthe,
western spiderwort, western blue flag, and small-
flowered sand verbena {Tripterocalyx micranthus).
In addition, a field workshop on limber ( Pinus
flexilis ) and whitebark ( Pinus albicaulis) pines, and
two additional field surveys of rare plants (one
on a NCC property and another near Lac La Biche,
Alberta) are planned for 2008.

PLANTS

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

I species

MULTISAR

Project Supervisors: Brandy Downey, Richard Quinlan, and Paul Jones (ACA)

purpose

To develop a process to manage multiple species at risk on a
defined landscape.

Background

The MULTISAR name is an acronym derived from
"multiple species at risk." MULTISAR is a cooperative
initiative that provides interdepartmental and
interagency cooperation toward conservation and
recovery of multiple species at risk across Alberta's
prairie landscape.

The first two years of the program (2002-2003,
2003-2004) concentrated on the development
of MULTISAR processes through baseline wildlife
inventories. Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models,
prioritizing of the landscape for conservation
activities using Multi-species Conservation Values,
and developing Beneficial Management Practices.
After 2004 the focus of the project progressed
toward development and implementation of
detailed Habitat Conservation Strategies in the
highest priority areas for prairie species at risk. In
2007 that focus evolved again toward a more rapid
assessment for development of more numerous
Species at Risk Conservation Plans and increased
use of information outreach tools through an
extension program. The MULTISAR process is now
available throughout Alberta's entire Grassland
Natural Region. MULTISAR does not replace single
species recovery projects, but provides an effective
complementary approach where landscape scale
or socio-economic conditions limit effectiveness of
more focused efforts toward single species.

MULTISAR is guided by a project management plan
which outlines the project's vision, mission, goals
and objectives.

Vision: Multiple species of wildlife, including
species at risk, are effectively conserved at
the landscape level, through a process that
integrates range management and industrial land
management with fish and wildlife management
principles, and does so in a manner that may
contribute to the sustainability of the rural
economy.

Mission:To develop and implement the MULTISAR
process directing conservation of multiple species
at risk, and associated fish and wildlife, within the
Grassland Natural Region of Alberta.

Goal: To assist landowners and lessees to
manage their land to benefit provincial and
federal species at risk, while maintaining an
economically viable operation.

Objectives:

• To provide recovery and maintenance for
numerous species at risk through a multi-
species landscape-based approach.

• To engage landholders (owners and lessees)
in the development of habitat conservation
strategies within Alberta's highest priority areas
for species at risk.

• To develop and implement Species at Risk
Conservation Plans, for broader use throughout
the Grassland Natural Region.

• To inform large numbers of Albertans about
positive benefits of species at risk, and to
encourage them to undertake stewardship to
sustain species at risk.

• To facilitate industrial development in a manner
that provides conservation for species at risk
and native prairie ecosystems.

Methods

The recommendations in recovery plans for
prairie-based Endangered and Threatened species
were reviewed and incorporated into MULTISAR
Beneficial Management Practices, for use in the
preparation of Habitat Conservation Strategies
and Species at Risk Conservation (SARC) Plans.
SARC Plans include an office review of Fish
and Wildlife Information System (FWMIS) data,
species' ranges, habitat suitability, and air photo
analysis. Following that, a landowner meeting
is held and a rapid assessment of the land is
completed, leading to provision of a report with
management recommendations being provided
to the cooperating landowner.

MULTISAR has increased the focus on education
and awareness in recent years.This has led
to partnerships with Alberta Conservation
Association and Nature Conservancy of Canada
to develop the At Home on the Range guide.

REGION:

Prairie

TARGET SPECIES:

Approximately 40 species of
management concern

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

Endangered, Threatened and
Non-game

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk, May Be at Risk, Sensitive,
Undetermined and Secure

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, AltaLink, Alberta
Parks, Environment Canada
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans, Environment
Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program, Nature Conservancy
of Canada, North American
Waterfowl Management Plan,
SHELL Environment Fund; TD
Friends of the Environment,
Sustainable Resource
Development -Public
Lands, various lessees and
landowners

For more

information contact:

Brandy Downey, Richard Quinlan

[see page 7);

Shannon Frank

(Shannon.Frank@gov.ab.ca) or

Paul Jones

(Paul.Jones@ab-conservation.com)

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 72, 86, 87, 98, 108, 114
MULTISAR website:
http://www.multisar.ca/

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

MULTISAR... CONTINUED

This guide is an important tool for encouragement
of species at risk stewardship, and is a key part
of a MULTISAR extension program. MULTISAR is
also active throughout Alberta's prairie region
in delivery of presentations on stewardship for
species at risk. Further, program information is now
easily accessible on the MULTISAR website.

Results

Habitat Conservation Strategies have been initiated
or completed on over 200 000 acres of Alberta's
highest priority lands for multiple species at risk
in the Milk River, Pakowki, and St. Mary's basins.
MULTISAR engages the landowner/lessee as a full
partner in the development of these strategies,
along with range and wildlife specialists.

Numerous SARC Plans were completed by the
end of 2007-2008 for areas throughout prairie
Alberta, and were recently made available to
other landowners upon request. Factsheets were
developed for inclusion in SARC Plans outlining
beneficial management practices for MULTISAR
focal species.Titles include: Grassland Birds,
Burrowing Animals, Loggerhead Shrike, Raptors,
Reptiles, Sharp-tailed Grouse, a nd Wetland Species.
Several additional factsheets were created
to increase landholder awareness of certain
management practices that impact species at risk,
and how they can be improved. The factsheets
include Farm and Hay Land, Industrial Guidelines,
Grazing Riparian Areas, and Shelterbelts.

Approximately 5 000 copies of the At Home on the
Range guide have been distributed to landholders,
landholder groups, watershed and stewardship
groups, counties, Fish and Wildlife offices, Public
Lands offices and Land Management offices. A new
MULTISAR introductory brochure was developed
and 1 000 of these have been distributed. Other
custom-made MULTISAR products include
binders for SARC Plans, gate signs and certificates
for MULTISAR cooperators, and information
brochures titled Frequently Asked Questions about
Species at Risk Legislation, Funding Opportunities
for Agricultural Producers, and Species at Risk
Identification Guide (brochure and poster).

An interactive module has been developed for
Alberta's grade seven students to use prairie
species at risk as examples within the Interactions
and Ecosystems science curriculum.

Other key developments of the MULTISAR program
include:

• Additional MULTISAR staff were hired in 2007,
including an extension services coordinator,
range agrologist,and wildlife biologist.

• An HSI Tool was developed and is now in general
use by Fish and Wildlife staff in their reviews of
industrial referrals.

• A public meeting was held in Hanna in November
2007 to inform landholders about species at risk,
address concerns about legislation and provide
information about Species at Risk Conservation
Plans.

• A Management Advisory Committee was initiated
in 2006 and has met several times since then, to
provide guidance by managers of the MULTISAR
project partners.

• The MULTISAR website has been developed
and revised to provide increased access for the
general public.

Recommendation and Future Direction

A Grassland Vegetation Inventory mapping
classification system is being completed and will be
used in revisions of MULTISAR habitat mapping in
2008. Also in 2008, a socio-economic analysis report
will be completed to provide greater information
on social, economic and ecological values of prairie
species at risk.The HSI models and search tool for
1 3 priority species at risk will be posted on the
external SRD website, alongside other guidelines
for industrial developers.This will help industrial
developers become aware of species at risk issues
prior to purchasing mineral rights in an area, and
will facilitate consultation at an early planning
stage.

Increased emphasis will continue on information
and outreach for conservation and recovery of
species at risk. This will include the development of
a self-serve SARC Plan guide for landholders to be
posted on the MULTISAR web site. Opportunities
will be explored for showcasing businesses that
consider species at risk in their management.
Interactive school presentations will be continued,
with an emphasis on rural schools and Hutterite
colonies. A demonstration tour and field school will
be developed for landholders. Extension services
will be enhanced through participation on various
committees such as the Prairie Conservation Forum,
Inside Education,and through participation in
prairie field trips, teachers' institutes, and creation
of distance learning broadcasts. MULTISAR will
collaborate with Alberta Parks to create interpretive
walks and displays for species at risk.

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

SOUTHERN HEADWATERS AT RISK PROGRAM

Project Supervisor: Richard Quinlan and Francois Blouin

To prioritize non-game species and species at risk and the
landscapes they are dependent upon, and to provide tools
to assist management by government and non-government
agencies.

Background

The Southern Headwaters at Risk Program (SHARP)
was carried out in the headwaters of the Oldman
River Basin in southwestern Alberta during three
years from 2003-2004 to 2005-2006.This area
supports Alberta's highest wildlife species diversity.

The primary goal of the SHARP project was to
provide a series of reports and mapping products
that could be used to prioritize the southern
mountain and foothill landscapes for multi-
species objectives. It was understood early on
that funding for the project would be short-lived
and could not result in management of a long-
term stewardship project (such as MULTISAR,see
page 27). This led to a decision to concentrate on
development of resources that could be integrated
into the activities of conservation organizations
already active on this landscape. Specific objectives
included:

• To carry out surveys for species at risk for which
data are lacking, in particular amphibians,
grassland birds and butterflies.

• To develop a species selection process to
establish focal species for the landscape.

• To identify habitat associations of focal species
and describe these through Habitat Suitability
Index (HSI) models and maps.

• To summarize natural landscape processes of
importance in the mountains, foothills, and
grasslands of the SHARP project area.

• To develop beneficial management practices and
land use guidelines for SHARP priority species.

• To provide conservation and stewardship
recommendations for landscape management
units in the SHARP area.

• To provide documents and resources useful
to land managers, industrial planners, and
conservation planners, to help achieve
conservation of non-game wildlife and species at
risk.

Methods

A review was carried out to determine natural
processes of importance on the landscape.This
was followed by a species selection process
involving several biologists from various agencies.
Inventories were done on amphibians, grassland
birds, and butterflies to improve information
on their distribution and habitat association. A
team of professionals was assembled including

representatives from the Fish and Wildlife
Division, Alberta Conservation Association, Parks
Canada, University of Lethbridge, and consulting
biologists.The team developed habitat suitability
models for 1 5 of the SHARP focal species and the
distribution of habitat was mapped using digital
data. Beneficial management practices and land
use guidelines were completed and provided in a
report. A literature search was done to determine
landscape pressures on wide-ranging species.

Results

The primary result of the SHARP project was
the production of several Species at Risk Series
reports primarily by Francois Blouin, Norbert
Kondla,and Kim Pearson. A list of these reports
and the subjects they address is summarized
below:

SAR # 80: A conservation overview of butterflies
(Kondla)

SAR # 89: A summary of natural processes
(Blouin)

SAR # 90: Species selection and habitat

suitability index models (Blouin, Taylor
and Quinlan)

SAR # 96: A Gillett's checkerspot butterfly

survey and guidelines (Kondla)

SAR # 97: Amphibian and western painted
turtle surveys (Pearson)

SAR# 105: Landscape management
recommendations (Blouin)

SAR # 106: Beneficial management practices and
land use guidelines (Blouin)

SAR # 1 07: A summary of landscape pressures on
wide-ranging species (Blouin)

Recommendations and Future Direction

The SHARP project was completed at the end
of the 2005-2006 field season. Although there
will be no further project-specific activities, the
project"lives on" through continued availability
of the eight project reports.The information in
these reports provides guidance for resource and
land managers within government. In addition,
several non-government conservation groups
continue to use the resources provided through
SHARP in their day-to-day management of the
landscapes they control or influence.

REGION:

Prairie

TARGET SPECIES:

Several species of
management concern

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Varied

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Environment
Canada's Habitat Stewardship
Program

For more

information contact:

Brandy Downey, Richard Quinlan

(seepage7),

Francois Blouin

(Francois.Blouin@gov.ab.ca)

Brad Taylor (ACA)
(Brad.Taylor@ab-conservation.com)

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 80, 89, 90, 96, 97, 105, 106, 107

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

LANDSCAPE-LEVEL PLANNING -

SETTING FISH AND WILDLIFE LANDSCAPE OBJECTIVES

Project Supervisors: Anne Hubbs, Matt Besko and Terry Kosinski

REGION:

Waterways and Lac La Biche

TARGET SPECIES:

May Be at Risk, Sensitive,
Undetermined species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Varied

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Integrated
Regional Services (SRD)

For more

information contact:

Anne Hubbs

(Anne.Hubbs@gov.ab.ca)

Matt Besko
(Matt.Besko@gov.ab.ca)

Terry Kosinski

(Terry.Kosinski@gov.ab.ca)

To develop a process to define landscape-level management
objectives for wildlife and fisheries populations and their habitat.

Background

In 2004, the Assistant Deputy Minister of
Sustainable Resource Development directed
biological staff to develop a template for
landscape-level planning within the former
Northeast Region (currently encompasses
Waterways and Lac La Biche).

The intent of this template was to:

1 . define landscape-level boundaries;

2. summarize landscape-specific information
that may influence the management of
wildlife and fish populations and their
habitats; and

3. establish objectives for the management
of wildlife and fish populations and habitat
within each landscape unit.

Methods

Landscape units were delineated using
watershed boundaries, which averaged 1 000 km2
in size. Goals and indicators were established to
aid in setting landscape-level objectives.They
were modeled after the Biodiversity Annex in
the Alberta Forest Planning Manual and the
Foothills Model Forest's indicators of sustainable
forest management. Ecosystem goals included
maintaining the full range of cover types and
age classes, reducing habitat fragmentation,
and maintaining the integrity of riparian areas.
The indicators associated with each of these
goals were forest-age-distribution per cover
type, amount of interior forest, and percent of
undisturbed riparian areas, respectively.

Species' goals were to maintain viable
populations of native wildlife species, and wildlife
models (Habitat Suitability Indices, Resource
Selection Functions) were developed for species
selected during a detailed scoping exercise (e.g.,
northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), barred owl
(. Strix varia), moose ( Alces alces) and pileated
woodpecker [Dryocopus pileatus)). G\S tools were
created for each species and ecosystem indicator
to allow the user to evaluate:

1) current state; and

2) potential effects of different land use
scenarios (e.g., harvest plans).

Watersheds with high value for a given indicator
were placed in one of five Management Area
classes (Old Growth, Interior Forest, Ungulate
Winter, Old Growth Forest Bird Guild, and
Caribou). For each Management Area class,
management objectives and guidelines for land
use were developed. Moreover, quantifiable
targets for habitat and/or anthropogenic
footprint were developed from the literature.

The natural range of variability was used to
set old growth targets at a subregional scale.
Project deliverables included landscape-level
objectives, spatial data layers, maps and a short
summary report for each watershed. The report
summarized information on each ecosystem and
species indicator, plus amount of anthropogenic
footprint and local knowledge.

Recommendations and Future Direction

Additional habitat suitability indices or resource
selection functions should be developed for
other wildlife species selected during the
scoping exercise.The general process developed
in this pilot project could be used to set
landscape objectives in areas outside the original
areas.

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

HABITAT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR SPECIES AT RISK IN
SPECIAL AREAS 2, 3 AND 4 OF SOUTHEASTERN ALBERTA

Project Supervisor: ArlenTodd

To identify priority areas of native prairie and initiate habitat
stewardship actions for species at risk in Special Areas 2, 3 and 4.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Approximately 17 species of
management concern

Background

Significant blocks of native prairie still remain in
the Special Areas, at the scale of one to several
townships in size.These blocks of native prairie
are situated in a regional landscape where
significant fragmentation of native prairie has
occurred, resulting in declines in species such as
the ferruginous hawk and burrowing owl. Areas
of remaining suitable habitat are important for a
variety of at-risk and sensitive species. In addition,
many other relatively rare grassland species occur
in the project area, and stewardship actions may
help to prevent them from becoming at risk.

Methods

Information was collected from databases such
as the Fish and Wildlife Management Information
System (FWMIS) and from native vegetation
studies, breeding bird surveys and other sources.
This information was considered in conjunction
with examination of aerial photos and field

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORIES:

, . . Endangered, Threatened and

reconnaissance to complete a township-by- Non-game

township landscape assessment, which identified

priority areas for stewardship actions. PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk, May Be at Risk, Sensitive

Results

The township-by-township landscape assessment
was updated each year based on current data.

Intensive landholder contacts were made in priority
areas. Additionally, a detailed wildlife habitat
assessment was completed, and management
recommendations were assembled for one priority
landholder parcel selected for stewardship actions.

Generalized range assessments of specific priority
parcels were completed on three priority parcels.

Extensive liaison was continued with landholders
on burrowing owl trend blocks. Additional
inventories for the long-billed curlew, ferruginous
hawk and other grassland species were completed
in data-deficient areas.

Recommendations and Future Direction

The project was completed in March 2006.

ferruginous hawk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Environment
Canada, Special Areas Board

For more

information contact:

ArlenTodd ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk reports:

No. 80, 89, 90,105, 106, 107

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

VAUXH ALL HABITAT CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Project Supervisors: Francois Blouin and Richard Quinlan

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

At Risk, May Be at Risk,
Undetermined species

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Varied

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Varied

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Canadian
Natural Resources Ltd.,
ConocoPhillips, Operation
Grassland Community, SHELL
Environmental Fund

For more

information contact:

Richard Quinlan [see page!)
Francois Blouin

(Francois.Blouin@gov.ab.ca)

To develop a Habitat Conservation Strategy to ensure long-term
management of native grasslands within the lands of the Vauxhall
Grazing Association.

Background

The Vauxhall Habitat Conservation Strategy was a
joint project carried out with Operation Grassland
Community from 2006 to 2008. It was focused
on the lands of the Vauxhall Grazing Association,
composed of three blocks of mainly contiguous
native grassland totalling approximately 70 000
acres in south-central Alberta. The area is two-
thirds Alberta Public Lands under lease to the
Vauxhall Grazing Association, and one-third "Tax
Recovery" land, in the process of transfer to the
County of Taber. The grazing association requested
development of a habitat conservation strategy
to ensure long-term management of native
grasslands.The Vauxhall Grazing Association lands
provide habitat for many species at risk including
burrowing owl, northern leopard frog, ferruginous
hawk, Sprague's pipit, great plains toad, and prairie
falcon.

burrowing owl call playbacks, and nocturnal
amphibian surveys were conducted on all lands
leased by the Vauxhall Stock Grazing Association.
An August northern leopard frog survey was
done as well.

Survey results and MULTISAR habitat models will
be used to identify areas for implementation of
Operation Grassland Community and MULTISAR
beneficial management practices. A Habitat
Conservation Strategy is being developed to
provide information for the conservation of
native habitats (especially grasslands).

Results

After results are completed in March 2008, a
habitat conservation strategy will be developed.
Results will be provided to the Vauxhall Grazing
Association, SRD-Lands Division, and the County
of Taber in report format.

Methods

In 2006, roadside surveys were conducted for
short-eared owls, diurnal raptors, and loggerhead
shrikes. Amphibian and reptile surveys were also
completed by foot in suitable habitat. A visual
habitat assessment was also done for all these
groups. Incidental mammal and bird observations
were also recorded. In June and July
2007, bird/wildlife point counts,

Recommendations and Future Direction

The Vauxhall Habitat Conservation Strategy
will be provided to the landowners and land
managers as a resource to help guide wise
resource management decisions on the native
grassland landscape. It will also be provided to
project partners, which include several of the oil
and gas companies that are active in the area.

MULTI-SPECIES AND
LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES

This section includes some smaller projects done by staff without designated project funds and also includes
some larger projects which the Alberta Species at Risk Program provides assistance to, but are led or coordinated
by other groups. Involvement may be through in-kind staff participation or provision of funds. Brief descriptions of
some of these projects have been provided.

Harlequin Duck Surveys

As a Species of Special Concern, the harlequin duck requires
regular monitoring to track its status, and to improve
understanding of ecological relationships regulating
distribution, abundance, and productivity. Aerial spring
(May) pair surveys and fall (August) brood surveys were
conducted in 2006 and 2007 in the Willmore Wilderness Park
along several rivers and one creek. Watercourses within this
park provide habitat for harlequin ducks that has minimal
human disturbance, which is rare in other parts of the species'
provincial distribution. Additionally, annual trend surveys
are carried out in the headwater areas of Oldman River and
Carbondale River by observers walking designated stream
sections.

Lethbridge Rattlesnake Conservation

Conservation of the native prairie rattlesnake population in the
City of Lethbridge is a challenge due to rapid urban growth
resulting in development of new subdivisions, roadways
and recreational areas. Alberta's Species at Risk program
has provided funding and in-kind staff support toward the
development and implementation of a rattlesnake
conservation plan for the city. This has provided
improved responses to citizen's complaints
regarding rattlesnakes, a revised translocation
protocol, establishment of new rattlesnake
habitat, and information/education
initiatives.This work is ongoing and
involves cooperation with the City of
Lethbridge, the University of Lethbridge,
local businesses and residents.

Wind Energy and Wildlife

Wind energy projects have become common
throughout southwestern Alberta. Although wind
farms are widely acknowledged as providing "green"
energy, there are problems associated with the direct
mortality they may cause to birds and bats. Alberta's
Species at Risk Program has provided funding to the
University of Calgary to support research for improving

our understanding of the seriousness of these concerns
and toward development of mitigation measures to reduce
impacts.

North American Long-billed Curlew Inventory

Alberta's Species at Risk Program carried out an inventory
for long-billed curlew in Alberta in 2001 (See Species at Risk
Report No.25).The protocol developed was used by United
Stated Fish and Wildlife Service as the basis for designing a
North American Continental Survey for long-billed curlew,
which was carried out over a two-year period (2004-2005).
Surveying of the Alberta portion of the species range was done
through a collaborative effort involving United States Fish and
Wildlife and Alberta's Fish and Wildlife observers.The Alberta
and continental surveys showed that Alberta supports a high
proportion of the continental population for this grassland-
associated species.

❖

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANNING

Management and monitoring is required for some species that are not Endangered or Threatened, but that
have characteristics that may make them particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. Following
a detailed status evaluation by the Scientific Subcommittee and recommendation by the Endangered Species
Conservation Committee (ESCC), these species can be designated as Species of Special Concern by the Minister.

Conservation management plans for Species of Special Concern must be developed within three years (unless
otherwise specified) of Ministerial approval of the provincial status recommendation. These management
plans are intended to be a resource tool for the Fish and Wildlife Division and for provincial and regional land
management agencies.The plans are designed to provide guidance for species management and influence land
management decisions that will enhance the conservation of target species and their habitat.

Management plans are intended to be concise documents,
with a focus on recommendations and actions. Plans contain a
brief overview of background information including rationale
for the species listing, threats to populations and habitat,
and a summary of inventory efforts. Goals, objectives and
recommended actions are identified. Actions can encompass
inventory and monitoring needs; habitat protection and
conservation; management activities; and other considerations
such as public education initiatives.

Management plans may also identify current government
policies, guidelines and practices that could be improved to
minimize impacts on species' population or habitat. Further,
Species of Special Concern Management Plans could also be
integrated into those policies where there is an opportunity.
Recommendations may address improvement of existing
policies and guidelines, or development of new ones to ensure
the long-term maintenance of a species and its habitat.

Draft plans are prepared by a staff lead and may be circulated
for technical and peer review to species experts and other
government departments. Plans may also be distributed to
stakeholders for review. Final drafts of the management plans

are submitted to the Director of Wildlife Management (Director)
for review and approval. The Director may circulate the plans to
other directors at his discretion. Upon approval by the Director,
plans will be made available to partners, the public, and other
relevant agencies, and will be posted on the departmental
website. Finalized plans will also be presented to the ESCC.

Management plans are dynamic documents that may be
amended as conditions require. They will be subject to a brief,
annual review by FWD personnel and updated accordingly. An
in-depth review will occur within five years of completion of an
initial plan.

To date, draft conservation management plans have been
developed for three Species of Special Concern - Sprague's pipit,
long-toed salamander and long-billed curlew - and for one
Data Deficient species, the prairie rattlesnake. Additional plans
in preparation include the barred owl, white-winged scoter,
harlequin duck, arctic grayling, Cape May warbler, and
bay-breasted warbler.

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

MANAGEMENT PLANNING

whooping cranes

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

A small number of native species have been identified as being at risk of extinction or extirpation in Alberta. These
species are designated as Endangered or Threatened under the provincial Wildlife Act, and are the focus of recovery
planning and implementation programs. Establishing recovery programs for At Risk species reflects Alberta's
commitment to the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, the National Framework for the Conservation of
Species at Risk, and requirements established under Alberta's Wildlife Act and the federal Species at Risk Act {SARA).

The Alberta recovery program has the following overarching goal:

To maintain or restore species identified as Threatened or Endangered to viable, naturally self-sustaining levels
within Alberta.

At the direction of the Minister of Sustainable Resource
Development, the Director of Wildlife Management, (the
Director), establishes a provincial recovery team for each
Threatened and Endangered species. Recovery teams are
composed of species experts, interested or affected stakeholders,
and groups with management responsibility for the species and
its habitat. They may include representatives of conservation
organizations, industry, landowners, resource users, aboriginal
organizations, academia, government agencies, and other groups.

The Fish and Wildlife Division is the coordinating agency and
identifies a lead staff member for the team, provides operational
support for the team, and ensures ongoing integration with other
national or jurisdictional recovery programs.The team reports
to the Minister through the Director, who acts as the Minister's
representative.

The team produces a draft provincial recovery plan within
one year for Endangered and two years for Threatened species.

All plans include background information that highlights the
species' biology, population trends, and threats to the species
and its habitat; a recovery section that identifies recovery goals
and measurable objectives; strategies that address threats and
guide recovery actions; and an action plan. The action plan
outlines specific actions necessary to achieve the recovery goals;
associated timelines for initiation or completion of those actions;
and organizations that will be involved with implementation.

Recovery plans for species that are also listed federally are
developed to meet requirements under SARA.

Once a draft recovery plan is completed it is submitted to the
Endangered Species Conservation Committee (ESCC) and the
department for review. Review by the ESCC constitutes the public
review process, as the multi-disciplinary committee represents a
broad range of interests, however additional public consultation
may be done for some plans. During the departmental review

<►

the Deputy Minister may consult other departments on the
content of the draft recovery plan. Departmental comments,
and recommendations from the ESCC on approval of the plan,
are forwarded to the Minister. Plans accepted and approved for
implementation by the Minister are published as part of the
recovery plan report series. Following approval, recovery plans
are published in print and online as part of the Alberta Species at
Risk Recovery Plan series.

It is anticipated that agencies and organizations represented
on the recovery team, and identified in the action plan, will be
involved with the implementation of recovery actions. Flowever,
depending on species-specific circumstances, it may be necessary
to initiate recovery actions while the recovery planning process is
still in progress.

The Fish and Wildlife Division and the recovery team
provide ongoing coordination and assessment of recovery
implementation. Recovery plans are"living"documents and
the team may revise the action plan as conditions change or
circumstances warrant.The team reports annually to the Director
on recovery progress and on any changes made to the action
plan. Recovery plans are assigned a lifespan (typically five years),
and are revised and updated by the team at the end of that
period.

The following sections highlight the progress for several
Threatened and Endangered species for which recovery planning
is underway.

Lake Sturgeon

Lake sturgeon [Acipenser fulvescens) was approved for listing as
a Threatened species in Alberta in 2003, and officially listed in
2007. The provincial recovery team for lake sturgeon is currently
being formed. First, a national recovery strategy will be developed
and Alberta will contribute a provincial action plan under that

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY PLANNING

RECOVERY PLANNING. ..continued

strategy. Fish and Wildlife staff have attended
two workshops on lake sturgeon that have been
hosted by the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans.

Small-flowered Sand-verbena

The provincial recovery team for small-flowered
sand-verbena {Tripterocalyx micranthus) will be
formed in 2008 and the national recovery strategy
is also due in 2008. At the time of publication,
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development was
finalizing the placement of protective reservations
on all known occurrences of this species on
Crown land. Additionally, population monitoring
efforts were initiated in 2007 by Fish and Wildlife,
Environment Canada, and the oil and gas industry.
These efforts will help clarify locations of this
species throughout southern Alberta. Monitoring
and management of industrial activity in
important small-flowered sand verbena habitats
will be ongoing.

Bison

The bison ( Bison bison) has been protected as
an Endangered species under Alberta's Wildlife
Act since 1 987.The Endangered status applies
within the boundaries in northwestern Alberta
described under the Wildlife Regulation.TUe ESCC
recommended in 2004 that all free-ranging bison
be listed as Endangered across the province.The
Minister responded that the issue would require
stakeholder consultation and would notify them
of a final decision. Bison disease management
needs to be resolved before moving ahead with
provincial recovery planning; an Assistant Deputy
Minister's Committee has been reviewing the
disease issue in Alberta. A national recovery
strategy has been drafted to comply with the
Canadian Species at Risk Act, and will undergo
jurisdictional review.

Stonecat and St. Mary Shorthead Sculpin

The St. Mary shorthead sculpin (provisionally
Cottus bairdi punctulatus) and stonecat ( Noturus
flavus), were approved for listing as Threatened
species in 2004. A broad-based multi-species
recovery approach is being developed that will
set goals, objectives, strategies, and management
actions needed to guide the recovery of these
two species, as well those of the western silvery
minnow, over the next five years. However,
recovery plans will be written for each species. The
plan for the western silvery minnow is complete
and has been reviewed by the ESCC.The planning
for both the stonecat and the St. Mary shorthead
sculpin is well underway. Both recovery plans are
anticipated to be ready for the ESCC review by
summer 2008.

Short-horned Lizard

The short-horned lizard ( Phrynosoma
hernandesi ) has been designated as an
Endangered species in Alberta since 2006.
Formation of a recovery team is underway and
protective reservations have been established
to protect important short-horned lizard
habitat within the Manyberries Badlands
population. The Fish and Wildlife Division and
the Lands Division are working together to
ensure the needs of the short-horned lizard
are incorporated into industrial dispositions
in relevant habitat. Ongoing population
monitoring continues as well, mainly by
pre-screening of industrial activities, but also
through the MULTISAR program (see page 27).

Tiny Cryptanthe

Tiny cryptanthe ( Cryptantha minima) was
recommended to be designated as an
Endangered species in Alberta in 2005. It was
formally listed in 2007.The recently formed
provincial recovery team will begin developing
a recovery plan in early 2008. At the time of
publication, Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development was finalizing the placement
of protective reservations on all known
occurrences of this species on Crown land.
Population monitoring efforts were initiated in
2007 by Fish and Wildlife, Environment Canada,
and the oil and gas industry. These efforts will
help clarify locations of this species throughout
southern Alberta and may also be used for
an updated status report in the near future.
Monitoring and management of industrial
activity in important tiny cryptanthe habitats
will be ongoing.

Ferruginous Hawk

The ferruginous hawk ( Buteo regalis) was
designated as an Endangered species in
November 2006.The recovery team was formed
in the spring of 2007, and a draft plan has now
been written and is undergoing consultation.
The Ferruginous Hawk Recovery Plan is on
schedule for presentation to the fall 2008
Endangered Species Conservation Committee
meeting. If recommended by the ESCC, the plan
will then be forwarded to the Minister's office
for approval.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout

The Westslope cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus
ciarki lewisi) was assessed by the ESCC in June
2007, and the committee recommended that
the species be listed as Threatened. The Minister
approved this recommendation in December

RECOVERY PLANNING

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY PLANNING. ..continued

2007, and measures to have this species
added to Schedule 6 of the Wildlife Regulation
are underway. Extensive genetic analyses
to determine (1 ) the extent of hybridization
between the westslope cutthroat trout and
rainbow trout, and between westslope cutthroat
trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and (2)
population subdivision among pure populations,
have been underway since 2006. A recovery team
will be initiated in 2008.

Mountain Plover

Mountain plover ( Charadrius montanus) was
recommended to be an Endangered species
in Alberta in 2004, and has been protected
under Alberta's Wildlife Act since 2006.The
national Recovery Strategy for the Mountain
Plover in Canada (2006) is currently available on
the Species at Risk Act {SARA) Public Registry.
Provincial representatives will have input into the
action plan for Alberta, to be developed under
the national recovery strategy.

Whooping Crane

The whooping crane {Grus americana) has been
protected as an Endangered species under Alberta's
Wildlife Act since 1987. Alberta participates on the
national Whooping Crane Recovery Team. A draft
of the recovery strategy was reviewed provincially,
and the strategy was posted on the SARA Public
Registry in late 2007.

Banff Springs Snail

The Banff Springs snail ( Physella johnsoni) was
designated as Endangered in Alberta in 2004.This
species is found only in one place in the world -
the thermal springs on Sulphur Mountain in Banff
National Park, A I be rta. Therefore, recovery planning
for this species has been carried out by the federal
government.The national Recovery Strategy for the
Banff Springs Snail (Physella johnsoni) in Canada
(2007) is currently available on the SARA Public
Registry.

short-horned lizard

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY PLANNING

trumpeter swan

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

WESTERN BLUE FLAG RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Richard Quinlan

Background and Activities

In 2001 a recovery process was initiated
for western blue flag following Ministerial
approval for listing as a Threatened species
under Alberta's Wildlife Act. In April 2002, the
Alberta recovery plan for western blue flag was
approved.The western blue flag conservation
program was developed through the
Maintenance and Recovery Plan for Western Blue
Flag in Canada. The conservation plan operated
during the period 2001 to 2005 to provide
habitat management to ensure long-term
maintenance of the species in its sole Canadian
habitat, near the town of Cardston.

Conservation and Stewardship

Inventories of the western blue flag sites were
carried out, with an overall summary provided
in a Species at Risk Program Report (No. 85).
Seven of the ten landowners who have western
blue flag on their land have participated in
the western blue flag conservation program.
Each of these participants was provided with
a western blue flag management plan for
their property and provided with consultation
and assistance to implement the plan. Partner
funding was provided for development of
improvements to enhance management
of western blue flag. These improvements
included permanent and temporary fences,
water improvements to redistribute cattle, and
removal of competing weeds. In addition to
the initiatives on private land there has been
ongoing consultation with Alberta Parks to
encourage pro-active conservation of the
western blue flag sites at Police Outpost and
Park Lake provincial parks. Measures being
implemented by Alberta Parks include fencing
and signage to dissuade human use of the
areas, and mechanical removal of invasive
species around the sites.

Species Status

During this western blue flag conservation
program, the knowledge regarding population
size and distribution dramatically increased.
Some members of the community who had
participated as recovery team members
encouraged neighbours to report the presence

of western blue flag on their land.This led to
annual surveys showing that the population was
approximately 1 0 times greater than was known
at the time of the decision to list western blue
flag as a Threatened species. Soon after, a decision
was made to update the detailed status report for
western blue flag.This was completed in June 2005
and the new information was used for a review of
species' status, leading to a decision to downlist the
species to a Species of Special Concern. This action
demonstrated the effectiveness of the voluntary
cooperative approach used in the western blue flag
conservation program.

Looking Ahead

Western blue flag was established as a Species
of Special Concern by a Ministerial approval in
December 2005, which effectively downlisted
the species from its previous designation as an
Alberta Threatened species. In practical terms, the
decision resulted in the western blue flag recovery
plan becoming a very detailed management plan,
rather than a recovery plan. Other implications
included the completion of the western blue flag
conservation program, upon an understanding
that conservation actions may be pursued through
multi-species approaches as part of the MULTISAR
project.

It is recommended that western blue flag be
revisited for monitoring as part of the 2009-2010
Species at Risk Program work plan. The existing
habitat plans and inventory reports allow for
replication surveys to be carried out in order to
evaluate the success of conservation efforts and the
response of the subpopulations at the various sites
where they occur.

At the time of this report, the national status of
western blue flag was Threatened under the federal
Species at Risk Act. It is recommended that COSEWIC
re-evaluate this status. Should the species remain
as a Threatened species, then the Alberta Species at
Risk Program should upgrade the existing plan to
qualify as a national recovery plan.

REGION:

Prairies, Southern Rockies

TARGET SPECIES:

Western Blue Flag (iris
missouriensis)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

None

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

Sensitive

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Environment
Canada's Habitat Stewardship
Program, and all agencies
associated with the Alberta
Western Blue Flag Recovery
Team

For more

information contact:

Brandy Downey (see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 85
Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan:
No. 1

«►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

PEREGRINE FALCON RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Gordon Court

REGION:

Prairies, Waterways, Southern
Rockies, Woodlands

TARGET SPECIES:

Peregrine Falcon (Falco
peregrinus)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Canadian Wildlife
Service, North American
Waterfowl Management Plan,
and all agencies associated
with the Alberta Peregrine
Falcon Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Gordon Court (seepage 7)

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan:
No. 3

Background and Activities

In 2000, the peregrine falcon was downlisted from
Endangered to Threatened in Alberta in recognition
of an increasing populations measured reduction
in pesticide residues in tissues, and demonstrated
improvements in reproductive performance. Along
with this change in listing, the Minister accepted
an Initial Conservation Action Statement from the
Endangered Species Conservation Committee
that recommended further recovery actions in
the province. This included the formation of a
multi-stakeholder Recovery Team whose role is
to advise the Minister on all matters relating to
peregrine falcon conservation in the province,
and preparation of a recovery plan. The Alberta
Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan was produced to
embrace the objectives of the Ministerial Initial
Conservation Action Statement.

Recovery goals for Alberta are based on population,
pesticide contaminant, and productivity
targets derived from historical data and on an
understanding of threshold levels for"healthy"
peregrine populations. These goals are as follows:

(1) to achieve a well-distributed, average
population of 70 territorial pairs of peregrine
falcons in Alberta by 2010;

(2) to monitor pesticide contaminants in non-
viable peregrine falcon eggs in the province
to ensure that geometric mean levels of the
residue DDE remain below 7.5 mg/kg (parts per
million) over the long-term; and

(3) to employ all management techniques possible
to achieve a mean fledging rate of greater than
1 .25 young/territorial pair/year in the province
over the long-term.

Information and Education

Much progress has been made in educating
the public about the conservation of peregrine
falcons. Several presentations on this species and
its recovery program are made each year to both
technical and non-technical audiences. Additionally,
owners and operators of industrial sites used by
nesting peregrine falcons are educated in ways to
minimize activities that may negatively affect their
recovery, and generally these operators are eager to
be involved in the conservation program.

Research and Administration

The Fish and Wildlife Division has been actively
participating in a Canadian Wildlife Service-led
project whereby certain individual peregrines have
been fitted with satellite telemetry equipment and
are tracked as they make their annual migration
to and from their wintering grounds.This research
was repeatedly featured by Edmonton and Calgary
media outlets in the spring of 2007 in particular,
and became a popular story for the public.

Other initiatives are ongoing, including the
continued entry of peregrine falcon nesting
information into the Fish and Wildlife Management
Information System (FWMIS).The Alberta Species
at Risk Program staff continue to participate on the
national recovery team.

Looking Ahead

The next national survey for peregrine falcons will
occur in 201 0. A variety of agencies will continue
to be invited to participate in the funding and
implementation of recovery initiatives. Alberta
will continue to participate in national recovery
initiatives.

Population and Pesticide Monitoring

Alberta participated in the last national peregrine
falcon survey in 2005. In that year, a total of 52
nesting pairs were counted. New pairs continue
to be detected each year. DDE residues in eggs
collected during the last decade average well
below critical level for successful reproduction.
Fledging rates are well above 1 .25 young/
territorial pair/year.

peregrine falcon

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

ORD'S KANGAROO RAT RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Arlen Todd

Background and Activities

The Ord's kangaroo rat was listed as Endangered
under Alberta's Wildlife Act in May 2002. This
designation was based on a small breeding
population, a dramatic within-year fluctuation
in population size, geographic isolation and a
restricted habitat. Nationally, the status of the Ord's
kangaroo rat was uplisted from Special Concern to
Endangered in 2006.

The Alberta Ord's Kangaroo Rat Recovery Team,
initiated in 2003, completed a recovery plan that
was formally approved in December 2005, with
2004-2005 being the first year of coordinated
recovery efforts in the plan. The goal of the
recovery plan is to ensure a viable, naturally self-
sustaining population of Ord's kangaroo rats in
Alberta such that this species is no longer at risk
of extinction in the province. Strategies for the
recovery of Ord's kangaroo in Alberta focus on:

1) minimizing any negative effects of human land
uses on population size and fluctuations, and

2) conserving, and where necessary, enhancing the
net quantity and quality of the habitat for the
species in Alberta. Specific recovery strategies
and progress made toward each are described
below.

Population Conservation and
Management, Research

• Research on kangaroo rat populations in
anthropogenic and natural habitats showed
that populations in anthropogenic habitats are
not as viable as those in more natural habitats.

Anthropogenic habitats (those altered by
humans) appear to represent population "sinks"
whereby kangaroo rats using these features suffer
higher mortality and/or reduced recruitment
compared to kangaroo rats in natural habitats.

• A large dietary study was completed and
documented very significant differences in
the diet of Ord's kangaroo rats in natural and
anthropogenic habitats.

• Range-wide monitoring to determine population
size, distribution and annual (spring-fall) and
inter-annual fluctuations was completed on 34
sites (1 7 natural, 1 7 anthropogenic). More than
500 kangaroo rats were captured and marked

in the monitoring efforts, and more than 1 00
incidental observations made.

• A detailed protocol for population monitoring
was finalized and published (Alberta Species at
Risk Report No. 113)

• Potential sites for translocations were assessed
for spring 2008, and preparation of a protocol for
translocations commenced.

Habitat Conservation and Management,
Research

• A standardized habitat monitoring protocol was
developed and implemented.

• Identification of essential habitats was completed
in years 2 and 3, and further refined in year 4.

• A multi-party project to monitor sand dunes
and experimentally reactivate by means of both
prescribed fire and grazers commenced in year 3,
with initial work primarily in the Suffield National

ord's kangaroo rat

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Ord's Kangaroo Rat ( Dipodomys
ordii)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

CFB Suffield, EnCana
Corporation, Environment
Canada's Interdepartmental
Recovery Fund, Geological
Survey of Canada, Royal
Alberta Museum, University
of Calgary, University
of Lethbridge, various
landowners, and all agencies
associated with the Alberta
Ord's Kangaroo Rat Recovery
Team

For more

information contact:

Arlen Todd (see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report:

No. 113

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 5

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ORD'S KANGAROO RAT RECOVERY I M P L E M E N T AT I O N ... C O N T I N U E D

Wildlife Area (SNWA). Within six weeks of burns,
surface sand transport has been stimulated at all
nine sites, with erosion being substantive at two.
Selected Recovery Team members participated
in the Environmental Assessment of EnCana's
proposed shallow gas infill project in the SNWA,
including development of a comprehensive
identification of essential habitat for the Ord's
kangaroo rat in the SNWA.

Selected Recovery Team members participated
in the ongoing review by Sustainable Resource
Development (SRD) of setback distances and
activity periods for sensitive wildlife species
(including the Ord's kangaroo rat) in the Prairies
Management Area .

Education and Information

• Presentations focusing in whole or in part on
the Ord's kangaroo rat recovery were given
each year to a variety of groups, including SRD's
Species at Risk staff; SRD managers and staff,
and students.

• The recovery program and plan was promoted
to stakeholders and public at all possible
opportunities.

• Media interviews/articles were held with
three outlets ("Fast Forward',' Calgary; CBC
Saskatchewan;"Prairie Post',' Swift Current) in
year 4.

Plan Management and Administration

• A total of 15 meetings of the full Recovery Team
have been held since its inception.

• Ord's kangaroo rat data were entered into several
key databases, including the Fisheries and Wildlife
Management Information System (all years).

Looking Ahead

At the time of printing, the existing recovery plan
is late in the fourth year of its five-year period.
Accordingly, in-depth review and evaluation of
the plan has begun, with a view to preparing
a new plan for the following period of years
(2009-2010 onwards). Key activities in inventory,
habitat conservation and management (including
dune reactivation) will also continue in the
year ahead, along with translocations of Ord's
kangaroo rats at several sites, for the first time ever.
Progress with some initiatives for development
and implementation of Beneficial Management
Practices for the Ord's kangaroo rat, and several
educational and recognition initiatives, is expected
to increase in the coming years. Efforts are planned
in 2008-2009 to broaden the funding base and
partnerships to include the Beneficial Management
Practices and educational initiatives.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Dave Prescott

Background and Activities

The northern leopard frog was once abundant
and widely distributed throughout central and
southern Alberta. Abrupt and unexplained
population declines occurred throughout many
parts of the species' range in the late 1 970s and
early 1 980s. Populations have remained at a low
level in Alberta since that time.

The northern leopard frog was declared to be a
Threatened species in Alberta in 1996, and this
status was reaffirmed in 2004. Later that year,
the Alberta Northern Leopard Frog Recovery
Team and an associated technical advisory
committee were established. The resulting Alberta
Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Plan 2005-20 1 0
was approved for implementation in late 2005.
The plan aims to achieve well-distributed and
self-sustaining populations of leopard frogs
in Alberta. The recovery team recognizes
that humans share the land and water with
leopard frogs, and that recovery efforts must be
conducted in partnership with landowners, land
users, and other interested agencies.

This summary covers the fiscal years of 2004-2005
to 2007-2008. In the first fiscal year, most of the
preparatory work for the recovery team and
plan was completed. The subsequent three
years represent the first three seasons of plan
implementation.

Population and Habitat Monitoring

First, a thorough assessment of the size,
distribution, and local threats to northern leopard
frog populations in Alberta was conducted to
prioritize sites for management. In 2005, a list of
all known leopard frog sites in the province was
compiled and prioritized. Biologists then visited
1 77 of these sites (almost half of all historical
sites), and conducted a standardized survey to
quantify the number of frogs per hour of survey
effort. Key results include (see Kendell etal. 2007
for complete details):

• Confirmation of frogs at 41% of surveyed
sites. Populations were relatively small and
isolated from each other. Only 56% of sites
known to be occupied in 2000 were occupied
in 2005, suggesting further decline of provincial
populations in recent years.

• Only 5% of unoccupied sites were thought to
have high potential for reintroduction.

• Less than 5% of 1 72 landowners contacted
were disinterested or negative about frogs.

• Over 60% of occupied sites were threatened by
human activities, with intensive cattle grazing
being the most prevalent threat.

Since 2005, several new leopard frog sites have
been found through contact with the public,
and from surveys at sites where suitable habitat
was known to occur. Of particular interest is the
rediscovery of frogs in the lower reaches of the
Battle River drainage in 2007, where populations
were thought to be extirpated.

Habitat Protection and Management

Leopard frogs are sparsely distributed in Alberta,
and there are relatively few robust populations
remaining. The recovery team therefore
places a high priority on protecting all known
frog habitats in the province from human
disturbance. Informing landowners is one of the
most effective tools for protecting habitat (see
Information and Outreach, below). Two other
tools have been employed to protect key frog
habitats in the province:

• Stewardship activities -In 2006 and 2007, four
stewardship projects for leopard frogs were
completed. All of these including fencing of
key breeding wetlands, and two also included
the provision of off-site watering systems

to landowners. At least one new project is
planned for 2008.

• Industrial Referrals - Consultations with
developers planning industrial facilities
around several leopard frog sites resulted in
elimination or minimization of disturbance to
breeding or wintering areas.

Research

Three main research activities have been
undertaken to date:

• Analyses of the genetic diversity of frogs at
the University of Alberta suggests that frogs
in Alberta have relatively low genetic diversity,
and that frogs from different watershed have
different genetic profiles. This research, which
is nearing completion, will be used to guide
future translocations of frogs.

• Surveillance for amphibian diseases has shown
that several populations of leopard frogs

in Alberta are infected with chytrid fungus.
Confirmation of this disease has profound
implications for translocations of frogs. Results
from an additional 30 sites will be known in
2008.

• Comparison of habitat attributes at occupied
and unoccupied frog sites was used to
identify predictors of leopard frog habitat.

GIS software was then used to predict the
location of suitable habitats in the province.
This information will be used to identify
unsurveyed sites where frogs may be present,
and to locate potential reintroduction sites.

REGION:

Prairie

TARGET SPECIES:

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana
pipiens )

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Alberta Human
Resources, Alberta Public
Lands and Forests Division,
Alberta Tourism, Parks and
Recreation, ConocoPhillips
Canada, Environment
Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program, Human Resource
Development Canada, Nature
Conservancy of Canada,

North American Waterfowl
Management Plan, Parks
Canada, TD Friends of
the Environment, private
landowners and lessees, and
all agencies associated with
the Alberta Northern Leopard
Frog Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Dave Prescott (seepage/)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 78
Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 7

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG RECOVERY I M P L E M E N T AT I O N ... C O N T I N U E D

Information and Outreach

Information and outreach activities inform the
public, industrial developers, and others about the
conservation and management of leopard frogs
in Alberta. The main focus of these activities is on
preventing degradation or loss of habitat, gaining
public assistance with finding new leopard frog
populations, expanding awareness of conservation
issues related to leopard frogs, and gaining support
and participation in management initiatives.

Several initiatives have been completed or are
underway:

• Development and distribution of a "Have You
Seen This Frog?" poster to solicit sightings of
northern leopard frogs in the province. Several
new frog locations have been secured through
the campaign.

• Production of a northern leopard frog postcard in
the provincial species at risk postcard series.

• Completion of an updated northern leopard frog
brochure, with partnership from a major oil and
gas developer (ConocoPhillips).

• Presentations and articles on frogs and their
management in a variety of newspapers,
newsletters, and other media.

Reintroductions

Several reintroductions have been attempted in
Alberta and elsewhere in western North America
over the past decade, with mixed success. Based
on knowledge gained from these attempts, along
with new information on the distribution and
abundance of frogs in the province, habitat needs
and spatial distribution of available habitat, the
genetic composition of extant populations, and the
occurrence of disease, the reintroduction program

was reinitiated in 2007. A detailed strategy has
been prepared to guide these reintroductions
(Kendell and Prescott 2007), and careful study over
the past three years has identified several candidate
source sites and relocation areas.The recovery plan
aims to conduct reintroductions at 1 0 sites over
the next few years. Introductions began at three of
these sites in 2007.

Looking Ahead

The recovery program for the northern leopard
frog is entering a critical and challenging phase.
Introductions began in the spring of 2007, and
will continue at least until the completion of
the current recovery plan in 2010; however, the
success of these reintroductions is not assured,
given challenges finding enough source material
for transplants, as well as manpower and funding
constraints, and numerous technical and logistical
considerations. In addition, the recently discovered
presence of chytrid fungus is potentially a serious
setback to the conservation of leopard frogs in
Alberta. Increased disease surveillance in 2007 and
beyond will help biologists gauge the threat of this
pathogen in Alberta, and the degree that it factors
into reintroduction efforts.

Protection of key habitats will continue, as will the
dissemination of information the public, industry,
landowners, non-government organizations and
others about leopard frogs and their conservation
in Alberta. In addition, we will seek new partners
and funding sources to support our management
initiatives.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leaders: Dale Eslinger and Joel Nicholson

Background and Activities

The greater sage-grouse is at the northern limit
of its continental range in Alberta. Silver sage-
brush ( Artemesia cona) provides most of the
diet of Alberta adult birds. Sage-grouse range
is currently limited to the southeastern corner
of the province and represents only about 1 0%
of historic range in Alberta. The Alberta greater
sage-grouse population has declined 66%-92%
over the last 30 years. Currently there are only
300-400 birds remaining in the province. Previous
research in Alberta suggests that the population
decline was a result of poor recruitment. Poor
chick survival may be a result of inadequate
quality of brood rearing habitat. Numerous other
factors have also been implicated for affecting
the sage-grouse population.

The greater sage-grouse has been a federally
listed Endangered species since 1 998. This species
was also provincially listed as Endangered under
Alberta's Wildlife Act in 2000. In December 2005,
the Alberta Greater Sage-Grouse Recovery Action
Plan was approved by the Minister of Sustainable
Resource Development. This plan was the
result of a local community-based collaborative
planning process involving various affected
stakeholder groups.

Population Monitoring

An annual inventory of birds attending the
known active leks occurs at the end of April
during peak attendance.The abandoned leks are
also monitored in the event of re-patriation by
the birds. At this time of the year, breeding of the
females is mostly completed, and the juvenile
males are tolerated by the dominant males at
each lek site. Hence, peak male attendance
can be inventoried. The male lek attendance is
used as an index of the total population. The lek
surveys have occurred sporadically since the late
1 960s and annually from 1 994 to the present.

Habitat Protection and Management

The Alberta Greater Sage-grouse Recovery Action
Plan (2005) prescribes a number of conservation
actions presently underway. These are described
in more detail below.

• A land use simulation model is nearing
completion. This model is an effort produced
through collaboration of a fairly large group of
resource managers and grouse experts. Nine
sage-grouse experts from various agencies
in Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and
Alberta were brought together in a workshop
held in Medicine Hat during March 28-30,2006.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Greater Sage-grouse

[Centrocercus urophasianus)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

/V-

greater sage-grouse

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Sustainable Resource
Development (Lands Division
and Fish and Wildlife
Division), Alberta Energy,
Parks Canada, Alberta
Conservation Association,
University of Calgary,
University of Alberta, and all
agencies associated with the
Alberta Sage Grouse Recovery
Action Group

For more

information contact:

Joel Nicholson (seepage 7) or

Dale Eslinger

(Dale.Eslinger@gov.ab.ca)

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 8

Related Species at Risk Reports:

No. 19, 56

<►

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

GREATER SAGE-GROUSE RECOVERY I M P L E M E N TAT I O N ... C O N T I N U E D

This session was led by Dr. Brad Stelfox (Forem
Technologies, Calgary). The model construction
was coordinated and recently completed by the
Miistakis Institute at the University of Calgary. The
model will assist with providing a tool for land-
use decision support.

In 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding was
signed by Alberta, Montana and Saskatchewan
regarding the trans-boundary wildlife concerns
in the northern sage steppe. This agreement
provides for data sharing, coordination of
research and management in southeast Alberta,
northeast Montana and southwest Saskatchewan.
The MOU has been sanctioned by the Western
Association of Wildlife Agencies. Sage-grouse
were one of the key species of concern identified
under the agreement.

A University of Alberta PhD student has nearly
completed her dissertation demonstrating spatial
variation in genetics of sage-grouse. This work
demonstrates the linkage of the gene pool from
Alberta through Montana.

The World Wildlife Fund (Northern Great Plains
Office) is collaborating with the University of
Calgary to develop a connectivity model for the
trans-boundary area. Connectivity of habitat
is viewed as very important to link Alberta's
sage-grouse with core populations in northeast
Montana.

GIS specialists from Alberta, Montana and the
World Wildlife Fund have recently entered into
discussions around data sharing.

Alberta Energy and Petro-Canada (through the
Alberta Conservation Association) have funded
a project to compile the state of knowledge on
cumulative effects for human activities on sage-
grouse. A graduate student from the University of
Calgary is conducting the research. The project is
in support of an internal Government of Alberta
(GOA) stakeholder group that will be convened
in the near future to establish agreement on
conservation design for greater sage-grouse in
Alberta.

Research

A number of research activities have been
undertaken to further investigate various factors
that could be of influence to sage-grouse:

• Water management and silver sage-brush

• Sage-brush mapping of the first 42 townships in
southeast Alberta

• Beneficial Grazing Management Practices to
Sage-grouse and Silver Sage-brush Guide

• Range conditions surrounding active and inactive
leks

• Telemetry study to determine important habitats
(University of Alberta PhD dissertation)

• West Nile Virus investigation (University of
Alberta)

• Population genetics (University of Alberta)

Looking Ahead

Implementation of the Alberta Recovery Plan will
continue. The immediate plans are to complete
the modelling efforts in early 2008. This activity
will be followed by negotiations with GOA
stakeholders to establish land use guidelines that
are scientifically based using current information.
Industry consultation will follow and ultimately the
results will be presented to the Recovery Team for
review. Plans will also be formulated for habitat
restoration and reclamation in key habitat areas.
Due to critically low population of greater sage-
grouse in Alberta the feasibility for augmentation
of the current population through translocation
from other jurisdictions is being investigated.

The likelihood of successful recovery using
augmentation is likely far greater than
re-introduction efforts would be if the population
was to become extirpated in the near future.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

BURROWING OWL RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Arlen Todd

Background and Activities

The burrowing owl was first listed as Threatened
under Alberta's Wildlife Act in 1987. This listing was
upheld in 2000 following a review of the species'
status. Most recently, the status was uplisted to
Endangered in 2006. Nationally, the burrowing
owl has been listed as Endangered since 2003. The
Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Team was formally
established in June 2001, and the recovery plan
was approved by the Minister in December of 2005.
The goal is to increase the population to viable,
naturally self-sustaining levels, with the species
well distributed throughout its recent (1993) range.
Specific recovery strategies and progress made
toward each are described below.

Habitat Conservation and Management,
and Related Research

• A multi-year project to determine large-scale
habitat selection of burrowing owls was
completed as a prelude to identification of
essential habitats throughout burrowing owl
range in Canada.

• A Beneficial Management Practice document
(developed by MULTISAR) was reviewed and
adopted for the entire range of burrowing owls in
Alberta.

• Several Stewardship programs (both provincial
and smaller scales, e.g., Operation Grassland
Community, MULTISAR, Nature Conservancy
of Canada) continued to emphasize habitat
conservation and restoration for burrowing owls.

• Selected Recovery Team members participated
in the ongoing review by Sustainable Resource
Development (SRD) of setback distances and
activity periods for sensitive wildlife species
(including burrowing owl) in the Prairies
Management Area.

Population Conservation and Management

• Direct inventory was completed on long-standing
trend blocks in the Eastern Irrigation District, east
and south of Brooks, and reports were prepared.

• Habitat Suitability Indices were developed
through the MULTISAR project and are being
used as an indirect means of determining where
burrowing owls should be, and might be.There
are plans to make these available on the SRD
website.

• The program encouraged data sharing, including
pre-development survey information from
industry.

Public Education and Awareness

• Presentations and occasional media interviews
which focused in whole or in part on burrowing
owl recovery were given each year to a variety

of groups, including the following: schools;
landholders; SRD's Species at Risk staff; and SRD
managers and staff.

• The recovery program and plan were promoted
to stakeholders, land managers and the public
at all possible opportunities.

• Established stewardship programs continued
education and awareness initiatives on
burrowing owls and other grassland species
(e.g., the MULTISAR Landholder guide At
Home on the Range; school talks by Operation
Grassland Community).

Research

• A multi-year, multi-party project to evaluate
the effects of energy sector development
on burrowing owls was recently initiated.

The project is determining and comparing
burrowing owl activities, activity patterns and
habitat use (including nesting and foraging,
home range size and shifts) in disturbed

and undisturbed areas in both Alberta and
Saskatchewan. Results of the project are
contributing to the objective evaluation
of management measures such as setback
distances and development thresholds, and will
aid in the understanding of cumulative effects
of grassland developments on the burrowing
owl.

Plan Management and Administration

• The Recovery Team held one meeting in year 4.

A total of 1 2 meetings of the Alberta Burrowing
Owl Recovery Team have been held since its
inception.

• Burrowing Owl data were entered into several
key databases, including the Fisheries and
Wildlife Management Information System.

Looking Ahead

At the time of printing this report, the existing
recovery plan was late in the fourth year of its
five-year span. Accordingly, in-depth review and
evaluation of the plan has begun, with a view to
preparing a new plan for 2009-201 4. That plan
review and renewal work will continue to intensify
in the year ahead, and culminate in a new plan
that will reflect and embody the upgraded 2006
status listing of Endangered. Key activities in
habitat conservation and management, public
education and awareness, and research will also
continue in the year ahead. Efforts will be made
to enhance partnerships and progress with
funding and implementation of management
trials for restoration of actual and potential
habitats.

REGION;

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Burrowing Owl ( Athene
cunicularia hypugaea)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Science
Horizons, Interdepartmental
Recovery Fund, Alberta
Sport, Recreation, Parks,
and Wildlife Foundation,
Endangered Species Recovery
Fund, MULTISAR, Operation
Grassland Community,

Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration, University
of Alberta, and all agencies
associated with the Alberta
Burrowing Owl Recovery
Team

For more

information contact:

Arlen Todd {see page 7)

Related Species at Risk report:

No. 116

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 6

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

WESTERN SPIDERWORT MAINTENANCE AND RECOVERY PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Joel Nicholson

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Western Spiderwort

( Tradescantia ocddentalis)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Adopt-a-Plant Alberta,
University of Saskatchewan,
and all agencies associated
with the Alberta Western
Spiderwort Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Joel Nicholson ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk report:
No.102

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No.9

Background and Activities

In August 2001, the Endangered Species
Conservation Committee (ESCC) recommended
that western spiderwort be listed as Endangered
because of its very small number of populations
(one confirmed), small area of occurrence,
small number of individuals,and isolation from
populations in the US and Saskatchewan. The
species was listed in 2007. Western spiderwort is
associated with active or partially stabilized sand
dunes. In Alberta the species is restricted to one
location of approximately 2.2 km2 in southeastern
Alberta. This population fluctuates from year to
year as a result of various environmental factors.

At the direction of the Minister of Sustainable
Resource Development, the Alberta Western
Spiderwort Recovery Team was formed in 2003,
and produced the Maintenance and Recovery
Plan for Western Spiderwort in Alberta 2005 -
201 0.The focus of the recovery plan is to conserve
the existing populations and habitat for western
spiderwort.

Inventory and Monitoring

• In 2005, a population inventory was undertaken
in order to provide additional population

data on the Alberta site. In this inventory,
the population was estimated to consist of
approximately 28 400 individuals (56 800
stems), which is considerably larger than
the previous estimate of 7 700 individuals.
Browsing by ungulates did not appear to have
a significant impact on the population as many
browsed stems redeveloped reproductive
structures.

• The patches of spiderwort found in the 2005
survey were considerably larger and more
numerous than those found in previous years.
The large increase in numbers reported may be
due in part to an increase in population number
or may be a reflection of a more detailed search
of the area.

• Research into demography and genetic
diversity of western spiderwort in Canada has
been completed by a graduate student from
the University of Saskatchewan. This project
investigated intra- and inter-population
genetic diversity. Relatively low levels of
intra-population variation were observed in
Saskatchewan and Alberta, whereas higher
levels were found in Manitoba. Levels of inter-
population diversity were low to moderate
depending on primer combination used,
indicating that populations are isolated within
each province.

A population inventory was conducted in the

summer of 2007 as well. This was accomplished
through the Adopt-a-Plant program (see page
25). A report is currently in preparation and will
provide additional population information for
the recovery process.

Stewardship Activities

• Landowners and leaseholders have been
involved in the recovery team process and
continue to manage for sustainable grazing of
native grassland habitats.

• Activities also include invasive species
monitoring through the Adopt-a-Plant
program. Volunteers confirmed the presence
of some new invasive species after a tip from
a local landowner, and did undertake some
pulling of exotic invasive species in spiderwort
habitats in 2007.

• Department staff continue to undertake
management practices aimed at minimizing
the impact of industrial development on
species at risk. Rare plant industrial guidelines
have been drafted and are operational for
use in southern Alberta in order to effectively
conserve populations of plant species at risk
such as western spiderwort.

• Ongoing contact with landowners and
leaseholders will continue to facilitate a high
level of stewardship of western spiderwort
habitat.

Looking Ahead

• Placement of protective reservations on Crown
lands as recommended in the recovery plans is
underway and will be continued.

• Longer term conservation plans will be
pursued with landholders in order to ensure
compatible management of important
habitats.

• Spiderwort inventories need to be conducted
frequently to monitor changes in population
number. Standardized monitoring techniques
will be employed. In addition, information on
the effects of grazing and precipitation and on
habitat requirements must also be acquired in
future studies.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

PIPING PLOVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Dave Prescott

Background and Activities

The piping plover has been designated Endangered
in Alberta since 2000. A multi-agency recovery
team was since formed, and implementation
of the inaugural recovery plan ( Alberta Piping
Plover Recovery Plan 2002-2004) ensued. After
expiry of that plan, a revised plan ( Alberta Piping
Plover Recovery Plan 2005-2010) was approved for
implementation by the Minister in 2005. The goal
of both plans was similar; to achieve

1 . a well-distributed population of 300 breeding
adults in the province;

2. reproductive success of at least 1 .25 chicks/pair/
year; and

3. no net loss of breeding habitat and nests in
Alberta. These goals were to be achieved
primarily through the protection of nests and
habitat. The plans stressed that a cooperative
approach to conservation was necessary

to recover piping plover populations in the
province.

Habitat Management and Protection

• A major initiative since the beginning of formal
plover recovery efforts in 2002 has been the
implementation of cooperative agreements
with landowners.To date, approximately 17
cooperative projects on 1 1 lakes have been
completed.These are usually fencing projects
(permanent or temporary fences) designed to
reduce or eliminate cattle damage to beaches
during the nesting season. Occasionally, off-site
watering is provided for cattle.

• Protective reservations, which alert industrial
developers and other interests to the
presence of an Endangered species have been
placed, or have been applied for, on almost all
Crown-owned plover habitat in the province.
These reservations have been instrumental

in preventing inadvertent degradation
of plover habitat in the province. Further,
through the federal Species at Risk Act {SARA),
43 quarter-sections of land on 1 3 lakes have
been declared to be "critical habitat, "and are
protected against destruction.

Productivity Enhancement

• Between 2004 and 2007, a total of 426
predator exclosures were placed on piping
plover nests, which represents 89% of the
total nests discovered during the period.
Success of these nests exceeded 90%, which
is well over double what would have been
achieved for unprotected nests.

• Removal of stick nests in wooded areas
around key nesting lakes occurred during
three winters. The removal of these nesting
structures is an attempt to reduce the
presence of raptorial birds around nesting
lakes during the summer.

• Electrified mesh fences, designed specifically
to deter mammalian predators from nesting
beaches, were used on two lakes. Finally, a
motion-detecting camera was deployed on
Akasu Lake to monitor activities of predators
around plover nests.

REGION:

Prairie

TARGET SPECIES:

Piping Plover [Charadrius
melodus)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Alberta
Employment, Immigration
and Industry, Alberta
Human Resources, Alberta
Sport, Recreation, Parks
and Wildlife Foundation,
Alberta Tourism, Parks and
Recreation, Canadian Wildlife
Service, ConocoPhillips
Canada; Endangered Species
Recovery Fund, Environment
Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program, Human Resources
and Skills Development
Canada, Mountain Equipment
Co-op, Parks Canada, Special
Areas Board, TD Friends of the
Environment, and all agencies
associated with the Alberta
Piping Plover Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Dave Prescott ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk report:

No. 84,99

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 10

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

PIPING PLOVER RECOVERY I M P L E M E N T AT I O N ... C O N T I N U E D

Information and Education

• Interpretive signage, and signs alerting ATV users
to the presence of sensitive nesting areas have
been erected on most lakes where recreational
use of beaches conflicts with plover nesting.

• Presentations on plovers and their management
were made to a wide variety of interest groups by
staff from the Fish and Wildlife Division and the
Alberta Conservation Association.

• Personal visits (often on an annual basis) are
made to most landowners, leaseholders and
cottagers that have land adjacent to plover
habitat, to ensure that they are informed and
agreeable with management activities.

Research

• Annual surveys for plovers are conducted on
more than 30 lakes each year. These surveys
are intended to monitor the occurrence of
plovers in different years so that management
can be directed toward areas with the highest
concentrations of birds.Total counts were 1 34
birds in 2004, 206 in 2005, and 273 in 2007. In
2006, Alberta participated in the International
Piping Plover Census, which has been conducted
across North America every five years since

1 991 . A total of 32 staff and volunteers visited
71 lakes, and counted 274 birds on 25 basins.
These surveys indicate that the population is now
rebounding from lows recorded in 2004, and are
just below target recovery levels.

• Coloured leg bands are placed on piping plover
chicks to monitor movements to and from the
wintering grounds. A total of 238 plovers were
banded during the reporting period.

Looking Ahead

Populations are currently just short of the recovery
target of 300 individuals. Intensive management
activities, particularly the protection of nests and
habitats, therefore appear to be having a positive
effect on plover populations in the province.

Once target populations have been achieved,
ongoing management will be needed to sustain
plover populations in the province. This is
because there are continuing threats to plover
habitat from industrial development, and because
plover populations move around the province
and are often found in areas where no previous
management or stewardship has been completed.
Most importantly, unnaturally high levels of
predation on nests means that any reduction in
the predator exclosure program will result in lower
overall nest success in the province. Future declines
in population size would be a predictable outcome
of reduced efforts to maximize productivity.

For the duration of the current recovery plan, we
will continue to emphasize habitat protection,
productivity enhancement, and information and
extension activities to recover plover populations.
We will also continue to work with federal
counterparts to ensure that recovery activities
are coordinated across jurisdictions. A new
recovery plan will be drafted in 2010, to guide the
management of plovers for an additional five-year
period.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

SOAPWEED AND YUCCA MOTH MAINTENANCE AND RECOVERY
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Project Supervisor: Joel Nicholson

Background and Activities

Soapweed [Yucca glauca), commonly known as
yucca, is an arid-region perennial that grows as a
single rosette or cluster of rosettes of long, narrow,
spear-shaped leaves. A tall flowering stalk grows
from the centre of each rosette and produces
large, white flowers. The yucca moth [Tegeticula
yuccasella) is a small, white, nocturnal moth.
Soapweed and yucca moths have an obligate
mutualistic relationship such that neither species
can survive and sexually reproduce without the
other. Moth larvae feed only on soapweed seeds
and soapweed can only produce seeds if pollinated
by yucca moths.

In February 2003, the Minister of Sustainable
Resource Development approved the listing of
both soapweed and yucca moth as Endangered
in Alberta. The soapweed was listed in 2007.

These designations were based on the Alberta
population of soapweed occurring at only two
sites and occurring over a small area. Yucca moths
appear to be near extirpation in one of the two
Alberta populations (Pinhorn population) and both
populations are isolated from moth populations in
the United States.

The goals of the recovery plan are to:

1 . maintain the existing habitat and distribution of
soapweed and yucca moth in Alberta;

2. maintain naturally, self-sustaining populations
of soapweed and yucca moth at the Onefour
site; and

3. increase the reproductive capacity of soapweed
and yucca moth populations at the Pinhorn site.

It is expected that implementation of activities to
conserve soapweed and yucca moth, combined
with stakeholder cooperation and commitment, will
allow for the long-term persistence of soapweed
and yucca moths in Alberta.

Inventory and Monitoring

The Fish and Wildlife Division completed an
inventory of the Pinhorn site soapweed and yucca
moth population in the fall of 2004. During the
survey, clones (collections of soapweed rosettes
separated by less than 1 5 cm of open soil) were
counted. Evidence of previous flowering, number
of inflorescences (flowering stalks), number of dead
rosettes, number of live rosettes, number of fruit per
clone, and number of emergence holes in fruit were
also recorded. A much larger population of yucca
moth was found at the Pinhorn site than previously
reported, although this may be a result of varying
methods used. Evidence of fruiting and larval
emergence confirms that both sexual reproduction
of soapweed and reproduction of yucca moth are

occurring at the Pinhorn site, but at a very low rate,
despite a substantial amount of flowering among
clones. More details are available in the Alberta
Species at Risk Program Report No. 1 11 .

Additional inventory of the Onefour soapweed
population was completed by Agriculture and Agri-
food Canada in summer 2007. The accompanying
report is in preparation but will provide an
updated population estimate for this site, as well as
additional information on the spatial extent of this
population.

Yucca moth inventory was also undertaken in
2007 at the Onefour site. Agriculture and Agri-
food Canada initiated this population assessment
of yucca moth as per their responsibility to
management and/or recovery of Species at Risk
on federal land. In conjunction with this work,
preliminary data were gathered for the five-spotted
bogus yucca moth ( Prodoxus quinquepunctellus)
during the flowering season, and also for the non-
pollinating yucca moth ( T.corruptrix ) during fruiting.
The key objectives of this project were:

1 ) to develop standardized methods for assessing
the stability of yucca moth populations at
Onefour over time and

2) to determine the current population status
relative to that of the past. An initial 2007
flowering survey exhibited a low level of clonal
flowering and a low moth density.

Although overall fruit production was low because
of naturally occurring events early in the flowering
season, it was still almost five times greater than
the lowest season on record. Further, yucca moth
recruitment per fruit was similar to previous years
on record at Onefour.

Stewardship Activities

Critical habitat has been identified. Industrial
guidelines are being used to minimize impacts
from other land uses on the soapweed and yucca
moth populations in Alberta.

Consultation with the land managers at the
Onefour site (Agriculture and Agri-food Canada)
related to critical habitat designation has occurred.
Ongoing stewardship facilitated by beneficial
management practices will be ongoing at both
soapweed sites.

Looking Ahead

Fencing of selected plants at the Pinhorn site and
subsequent translocation will be pursued as an MSc
program with an Alberta university. This project
will commence once a suitable student is found to
undertake this recovery project and evaluate its
success.

REGION:

Prairie

TARGET SPECIES:

Soapweed [Yucca glauca), Yucca
moth [Tegeticula yuccasella)

WILDLIFE ACT CmQOmS:

Endangered and None

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Agriculture and Agri-food
Canada, and all agencies
associated with the Alberta
Soapweed and Yucca Moth
Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Joel Nicholson ( seepage 7)

Related Species at Risk report: No. 1 1 1
Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan:
No. 11

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

TRUMPETER SWAN RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

REGION:

Smoky, Peace and scattered
elsewhere

TARGET SPECIES:

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus
buccinator)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

ATCO Electric, Tourism, Parks
and Recreation, and all
agencies associated with
the Alberta Trumpeter Swan
Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Mark Heckbert

(Mark.Heckbert@gov.ab.ca)

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan:
No. 12

Implementation Leader: Mark Heckbert

Background and Activities

In June 2001, the Endangered Species Conservation
Committee (ESCC) recommended that the
trumpeter swan be listed as Threatened because
of its very small population and concerns over a
critical shortage of wintering habitat.The Minister
of Sustainable Resource Development agreed
with this recommendation, and along with the
listing, endorsed the Initial Conservation Action
Statement that formally initiated trumpeter swan
recovery actions, including the formation of the
Alberta Trumpeter Swan Recovery Team. The team
produced the Alberta Trumpeter Swan Recovery Plan
2005 - 2070. The focus of the recovery plan is to
increase the existing populations through habitat
protection and a reduction in human-caused
mortality.

Habitat Protection and Management

• Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)
completed a review of land-use issues around key
trumpeter swan staging wetlands near Cochrane;
they then undertook efforts to create an offsite
watering location and pasture-fencing initiatives
to improve water quality and riparian vegetation
health.

• SRD Staff have implemented land-use guidelines
for trumpeter swans on breeding and staging
wetlands located on public land.

• Fish and Wildlife Division (FWD) staff have
commenced the process to place protective
reservations on public lands located in and near
all known breeding wetlands.

• FWD staff commenced formal discussions with
the County of Grande Prairie to develop land-use
guidelines for trumpeter swans on private lands
and to formalize a referral system for industrial
developments.

• FWD staff cooperated with Canadian National
Railway and Ducks Unlimited Canada to establish
a permanent water control structure on a
trumpeter swan breeding wetland near Grande
Prairie.

Population Conservation and Management

• Expanded surveys for trumpeter swans were
carried out in 2005.

• Power line strike locations were identified in the
County of Grande Prairie. Negotiation efforts with
ATCO Electric to mitigate specific locations with
high probability of repeated collisions through
power line burial were unsuccessful.

• Line markers were placed along 800 m of a
power line located on Flyingshot Marsh just
west of Grande Prairie, which is located near a
breeding wetland and is used periodically by
non-breeding swans.

• FWD staff have continued to monitor power
line strike locations and have maintained the
information in a database.

• Tourism, Parks and Recreation staff
implemented effective public activity closures
on breeding lakes within Provincial Parks and
Protected Areas.

Research and Monitoring

• Annual surveys of trumpeter swans were
completed in the Beaver Hills.

• The Alberta portion of the 2005 international
breeding trumpeter swan survey was
completed in order to estimate population size
and evaluate the success of recovery actions.

• The geographic extent of the Alberta
population surveys for breeding trumpeter
swans was expanded to search for new
breeding territory.

Information and Education

• Promotion of the recovery plan
implementation was completed through public
tours and provision of a large poster at the
Grande Prairie Swan Festival.

• Trumpeter swan postcards were printed and
distributed to the public at special events and
school visits.

Recovery Plan Administration

• Trumpeter swan data was entered into the
FWMIS database.

Looking Ahead

• Sustainable Resource Development (SRD)
staff have gathered information about
possible modifications to the current land-use
guidelines and will continue these efforts in
2008.

• FWD will continue to work with ATCO Electric
to try to mitigate known collision locations.

• The recovery plan will be reviewed and
reviewed and updated in 2010.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

SHORTJAW CISCO RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Isabelle Girard

Background and Activities

The shortjaw cisco was approved as a Threatened
species in Alberta in 2003, and was listed in 2007.
It was nationally listed as Threatened in 1 987. In
Alberta, this designation is based on the species'
occurrence in only one lake (Barrow Lake) and its
isolation from other populations.

Lake during summer 2008, as a means of
indirectly monitoring the shortjaw cisco
population and its potential threats.

SRD has proposed a regulation change (i.e.,one
walleye over 43 cm and one northern pike over
63 cm, with a closure from April 1 - May 1 7) to
preserve the ecological integrity of Barrow Lake.

In 2005, the Minister of Sustainable Resource
Development (SRD) formed the Alberta Shortjaw
Cisco Recovery Team with representation from
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development's Fish
and Wildlife, and Lands divisions, Royal Alberta
Museum, Mikisew Sport Fishing, and First Nations
representation from the Metis Association, Mikisew
Cree First Nation and the Athabasca Chipewyan
First Nation. In January 2007, the Minister approved
the Alberta Shortjaw Cisco Recovery Plan 2006-20 1 1 .

The goal of this recovery plan is to maintain a self-
sustaining population of shortjaw cisco in Barrow
Lake, Alberta, over the long-term. Recommended
actions include:

1 . protection of the shortjaw cisco population
against direct and indirect effects of domestic
fishing and sport fishing;

2. prevention of declines or losses in habitat
quantity and quality associated with
anthropogenic activities;

3. monitoring of the population using indirect
methods; and

4. increasing public awareness about this species
and its conservation requirements.This update
summarizes activities undertaken in the first
year of implementation of the Alberta Shortjaw
Cisco Recovery Plan.

Population Conservation and Management

• Collaboration is underway with Mikisew Sport
Fishing to monitor angling pressure on Barrow

• Discussions with SRD enforcement have been
initiated to increase the surveillance of Barrow
Lake.

Habitat Conservation and Management

• Discussions with SRD Lands Division have been
initiated to put a protective reservation on
Barrow Lake to ensure land use activities are
compatible with conservation of shortjaw cisco.

Outreach and Information

• Initial steps have been taken to produce a
brochure on shortjaw cisco that will be made
available to the public.

• The Alberta Shortjaw Cisco Recovery Plan was
discussed as part of a Fish and Wildlife public
meeting in Fort McMurray in January 2008,
with other meetings to be planned for the near
future.

Research needs and Resource Acquisition

• An application for funds was submitted by
SRD and the Royal Alberta Museum to the
Environment Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program. The aim of the proposed project is to
test a non-lethal direct monitoring technique on
shortjaw cisco in Barrow Lake.

Looking Ahead

• All the above mentioned initiatives mentioned
are scheduled for completion in 2008-2009.

REGION:

Waterways

TARGET SPECIES:

Shortjaw Cisco ( Coregonus
zenithicus)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Mikisew Sport Fishing and the
Royal Alberta Museum

For more

information contact:

Isabelle Girard

(lsabelle.Girard@gov.ab.ca)

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery
Plan: No. 13

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

SWIFT FOX RECOVERY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Joel Nicholson

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Swift Fox (Vulpes velox)

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Endangered

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, Alberta Conservation
Association, Calgary Zoo,
Environment Canada,
Government of Alberta
Innovation Program, Montana
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks,

Parks Canada, Saskatchewan
Environment, Wildlife
Preservation Canada, World
Wildlife Fund, MULTISAR,
and all agencies associated
with the Alberta Swift Fox
Recovery Tea

For more

information contact:

Joel Nicholson (see page 7)

Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan:
No. 14

♦

Background and Activities

Swift foxes ( Vulpes velox) are canids identified by
their small size (2 kg to 3 kg), long black-tipped
bushy tails, and by black facial spots on each side
of their muzzle. Historically, large populations of
swift foxes ranged across the Canadian Prairies.
Rapid declines in abundance of the swift fox
began in the late 1 800s as foxes were trapped or
eliminated during predator control programs.The
last sighting of a swift fox in Alberta was in 1 938
near Manyberries. Beginning in 1 983, captive-
raised and wild-born swift foxes from the United
States were reintroduced into southern Alberta
and Saskatchewan. This reintroduction program
led to the establishment of a small population of
foxes in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, which
expanded over the border into Montana, USA.

The swift fox was designated Endangered in Alberta
in 2000, and the Swift Fox Recovery Team was
initiated by the Minister of Sustainable Resource
Development.The team's long term goal for the
swift fox in Alberta is to establish a well-distributed,
healthy, and self-sustaining viable population
within its remaining historic range in Alberta
within 20 years. In December 2007, the Minister of
SRD approved The Alberta Swift Fox Recovery Plan
2006-2010, which outlines activities related to swift
fox conservation for 2006-2001 .

Inventory and Monitoring

A major population monitoring initiative occurred
in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana with
the 2005-2006 population census. Results of
this census were encouraging as population

connectivity improved and swift fox numbers
and densities in Canada were similar to the high
levels documented in 2001 , which indicates
population stability. Additionally, Montana
numbers increased significantly for a combined
2006 population estimate of 1 1 63 foxes. With
100% of foxes in this census being wild-born,
the reintroduction program shows long-term
success.

Stewardship Activities

The MULTISAR program continues to be one of
the main delivery mechanisms for species at risk
conservation and stewardship with landholders
in southern Alberta. MULTISAR conservation
plans are underway on large ranches that contain
significant swift fox habitat. An active swift fox
den was located on one project co-operator's
ranch as part of the wildlife inventory work
conducted for plan production. Additionally,
department staff continue to work toward
minimizing the impact of industrial activities on
swift fox populations. Utilization of guidelines for
mitigating development as well as pre-industrial
wildlife survey work is ongoing.

Looking Ahead

Population and habitat modelling work using
data from the 2005-2006 census is underway
and largely complete. The provincial Swift
Fox Recovery Team and the national Swift
Fox Recovery Team will continue to work
cooperatively to determine the next steps
toward swift fox recovery. Pursuit of other
conservation initiatives identified in the recovery
plan will be ongoing.

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 200

WESTERN SILVERY MINNOW RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation Leader: Terry Clayton

Background and Activities

The western silvery minnow is a Threatened species
in Alberta, the only jurisdiction in which it occurs
in Canada. In 2005, the Minister of Sustainable
Resource Development (SRD) formed a multi-
stakeholder recovery team. In December 2007 the
Endangered Species Conservation Committee
reviewed The Alberta Western Silvery Minnow
Recovery Plan 2007-20 1 2.

There is no evidence to date that suggests that the
Milk River population of western silvery minnow
has suffered a decline or that the range has been
significantly reduced. As such, the recovery goal
is "to protect and maintain a self-sustaining
population of western silvery minnow within its
current range with the Milk River in Canada."

Information and Education

• Interpretive signage was developed for Milk River
species at risk, including western silvery minnow,
and displayed at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

• Fact sheets on the western silvery minnow were
developed by a Recovery Team partner, the
Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO).

• A newspaper article on western silvery minnow
and the recovery plan appeared in the Lethbridge
Herald.

Monitoring and Research

While the recovery plan was being written and
reviewed, a number of data gaps were identified.
Staff of SRD and DFO have undertaken a number of
activities related to recovery of the western silvery
minnow.

• In June 2004, an early summer habitat survey was
conducted on the lower Milk River to identify
possible spawning and early rearing habitat.

Fall fish and habitat surveys were conducted
opportunistically at selected sites on the lower
Milk River in October and November 2004 to
sample for western silvery minnow presence in
potential overwintering habitat.

Fall aerial photography was completed in
October and November 2004 to document key
macro-habitat sections for the entire Milk and
North Milk rivers. This survey geo-referenced
and mapped key habitat features for evaluation.
Limited habitat analysis has also been
conducted. Field collections were made in the
lower Milk River from June to September 2005.
Relative abundance measures were used to
compare habitat use, and biological data were
collected on all fish species, including western
silvery minnow.

DFO sampled fish populations in the Milk River
several times between 2005 and 2007. New
data were collected on the diet, population age
structure, population size structure, juvenile and
adult habitat use, and distribution range of the
western silvery minnow in the Milk River.

All fisheries data have been entered into the
provincial Fisheries Management Information
System.

REGION:

Prairies

TARGET SPECIES:

Western Silvery Minnow

{Hybognathus argyritis )

WILDLIFE ACT CATEGORY:

Threatened

PROVINCIAL GENERAL STATUS:

At Risk

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Alberta Conservation
Association, Canada
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans, Environment
Canada Habitat Stewardship
Program, Freshwater Institute
in Winnipeg, MULTISAR, and
all agencies associated with
the Alberta Milk River Fish
Recovery Team

For more

information contact:

Terry Clayton

(Terry.Clayton@gov.ab.ca)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004 - 2008

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION

GRIZZLY BEAR AND WOODLAND CARIBOU

GRIZZLY BEAR, WOODLAND CARIBOU and BISON

All costs and staffing of woodland caribou {Rangifer tarandus caribou), a Threatened species, grizzly bear
(' Threatened - pending) and bison ( Endangered) management are currently resourced from outside the
provincial Species at Risk program. More information on the management for these species can be found on
the Fish and Wildlife Division website: http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/default.aspx

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 2007.The 2005
general status of Alberta wild species. URL: http://srd.
alberta.ca/fishwildlife/wildspecies/index.htm [Updated
January 2007].

Clifford, H. F. 2001 . Bivalves: 2000 preliminary status ranks for

Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish
and Wildlife Division, Edmonton, Alberta. 42pp.

Downey, B.A. 2003. Survey protocol for the Richardson's ground
squirrel. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish
and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No 69.
Edmonton, AB.

Kendell, K., Stevens, S., and D. Prescott. 2007. Alberta northern
leopard frog survey, 2005. Technical Report, T-2007-001,
produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada. 1 8 pp + App.

Sampling Design:Thinking outside the quadrat. Unpub.
Rept. For Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish
and Wildlife Division. Lethbridge AB. 1 1 pp.

Taylor, B.N. 2003. Population estimates and a survey protocol for

ferruginous hawks in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at
Risk Report No 70. Edmonton, AB. 1 1 pp.

Turgeon, D.D., J. F. Quinn, Jr., A.E. Bogan, E.V. Coan, F.G. Hochberg,
W.G. Lyons, P.M. Mikkelsen, RJ. Neves, C.F.E. Roper, G.
Rosenberg, B. Roth, A. Scheltema, f.G. Thompson, M.
Vecchione, and J.D. Williams. 1 998. Common and scientific
names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and
Canada: mullusks, 2nd Edition. American Fisheries Society,
Special Publication 26, Bethesda, MD. 526pp.

Kendell, K., and D. Prescott. 2007. Northern leopard frog

reintroduction strategy for Alberta. Technical Report,
T-2007-002, produced by Alberta Conservation Association
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 31 pp + App.

Lepitzki, D.A.W. 2001 . Gastropods: 2000 preliminary status ranks
for Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development,
Fish and Wildlife Division, Edmonton, Alberta. 1 26 pp.

Saunders, EJ. 2005. A review of the proposed 2005 Alberta
Ferruginous Hawk Surveys

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

http://www.redlist.org/

Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada

http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/recovery/

accord_e.cfm

Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)

http://www.ab-conservation.com/

Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee
(ESCC)

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/escc/

Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre (ANHIC)

http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/preserving/parks/anhic/

Alberta Species at Risk Program

http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/

speciesatrisk/default.aspx

Alberta Species at Risk Program and Projects
2000-2001

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/
pdf/2000-0 1SAR.pdf

Alberta Species at Risk Program and Projects
2001-2002

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/pdf/

SAR_55.pdf

Alberta Species at Risk Program and Projects

2002- 2003

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/

pdf/2002_2003SAR.pdf

Alberta Species at Risk Program and Projects

2003- 2004

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/pdf/

SAR_100.pdf

Alberta Species at Risk Reports

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/

projectreports.aspx

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development— Fish and
Wildlife Division

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/default.aspx

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC)

http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/

Map of the Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta

http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/docs/

nsr2005_finaljetter.pdf

Previous reports of the Alberta Endangered Species
Conservation Committee

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/escc/

backgrounddocuments.aspx

Species at Risk Act Public Registry

http://www.sa ra reg i stry.gc.ca/defa u lt_e.cf m

The 2005 General Status of Alberta Wild Species

http://srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/wildspecies/

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List Criteria

http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SSC/RedList/

RedListGuidelines.pdf

Wild Species: General Status of Species in Canada

http://www.wildspecies.ca/

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

General Status of Alberta Wild Species Ranks

1 2005 Rank

Definitions

At Risk

Any species known to be at risk after formal detailed status assessment and designation as Endangered or Threatened
in Alberta.

May Be At Risk

Any species that May Be at Risk of extinction or extirpation, and is therefore a candidate for detailed risk assessment.

Sensitive

Any species that is not at risk of extinction or extirpation but may require special attention or protection to prevent it
from becoming at risk.

Secure

A species that is not At Risk, May Be at Risk or Sensitive.

Undetermined

Any species for which insufficient information, knowledge or data is available to reliably evaluate its general status.

Not Assessed

Any species whose general status has not been evaluated.

Exotic/Alien

Any species that has been introduced as a result of human activities.

Extirpated/Extinct

Any species no longer thought to be present in Alberta (extirpated) or no longer believed to be present anywhere in
the world (extinct).

Accidental/Vagrant

Any species occurring infrequently and unpredictably in Alberta; i.e., outside its usual range.

Alberta Species at Risk Formal Status Definitions1

Extinct

A species that no longer exists.

Extirpated

A species no longer existing in the wild in Alberta but occurring elsewhere in the wild.

Endangered2

A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened2

A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Species of Special Concern

A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human
activities or natural events.

Data Deficient

A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

1 These definitions are based on those used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

2 Endangered and Threatened are legal designations under Alberta's Wildlife Act.

Other Wildlife Act categories referred to in this report include:

Non-game Animal

A wildlife species, as identified in the Wildlife Regulation, for which there is no hunting season. It is also illegal
to possess or traffic in these species, unless permitted to do so.

Non-licence Animal

A wildlife species, as identified in the Wildlife Regulation, which can be hunted year round without a licence
except in specified areas.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

(after http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sctO/assessment_process_e.cfm#sec3)

Extinct

A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated

A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered

A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened

A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern

A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological
characteristics and identified threats.

Not at Risk

A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data Deficient

A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species' eligibility for
assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species' risk of extinction.

♦

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

All reports are available at: www.srd.alberta.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/projectreports.aspx

No. 1

No. 2
No. 3

No. 4
No. 5

No. 6
No. 7

No. 8

No. 9

No. 10

No. 11

No. 12
No. 13
No. 14

No. 15
No. 16

Alberta species at risk program and projects
2000-2001 , by Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development, Fish and Wildlife Division. (2001 )

No. 17

Distribution and relative abundance of small mammals
of the western plains of Alberta as determined from
great horned owl pellets, by D. Schowalter. (2001 )

Survey of the peregrine falcon [Falco peregrinus
anatum) in Alberta, by R. Corrigan. (2001)

Distribution and relative abundance of the shortjaw
cisco {Coregonus zenithicus) in Alberta, by M.
Steinhilberand L.Rhude. (2001)

No. 1 8 | Western blue flag ( Iris missouriensis) in Alberta: a census
of naturally occurring populations for 2000, by R. Ernst.
(2000)

No. 19 | Assessing chick survival of sage grouse in Canada, by
C.L. Aldridge. (2000)

Survey of the bats of central and northwestern
Alberta, by MJ.Vonhof and D. Hobson. (2001)

No. 20

Harlequin duck surveys of the Oldman River Basin in
2000, by D.Paton. (2000)

2000 survey of the Trumpeter Swan ( Cygnus
buccinator) in Alberta, by M.L. James and A. James.
(2001)

2000/2001 Brassy Minnow inventory at Musreau
Lakeand outlet, by T. Ripley. (2001)

Colonial nesting waterbird survey in the Northwest
Boreal Region - 2000, by M. Hanneman and M.
Heckbert. (2001)

No.21 | Proposed protocols for inventories of rare plants of the
Grassland Natural Region, by C. Wallis. (2001)

No. 22 | Utilization of airphoto interpretation to locate prairie
rattlesnake ( Crotalus viridis viridis) hibernacula in the
South Saskatchewan River valley, by J. Nicholson and S.
Rose. (2001)

No. 23

2000/2001 Progress report on caribou research in west
central Alberta, by T.Szkorupa. (2001)

Burrowing owl trend block survey and monitoring -
Brooks and Hanna areas, by D. Scobie and R. Russell.
(2000)

No. 24

Census of swift fox ( Vulpes velox) in Canada and
Northern Montana: 2000-2001 , by A. Moehrenschlager
and C. Moehrenschlager. (2001 )

Survey of the Lake Sturgeon [Acipenser fulvescens)
fishery on the South Saskatchewan River, Alberta
(June-September, 2000), by L.A. Winkel. (2000)

An evaluation of grizzly bear-human conflict in the
Northwest Boreal Region of Alberta (1991-2000) and
potential mitigation, by T.Augustyn. (2001)

Harlequin duck monitoring in the Northern East
Slopes of Alberta: 1 998-2000 preliminary results, by J.
Kneteman and A. Hubbs. (2000)

Distribution of selected small mammals in Alberta,
by L. Engley and M. Norton. (2001 )

Northern leopard frog reintroduction. Raven River -
Year 2 (2000), by K. Kendell. (2001)

Cumulative effects of watershed disturbances on
fish communities in the Kakwa and Simonette
watersheds. The Northern Watershed Project. Study
3 Progress report, byT.Thera and A.Wildeman.

(2001)

Harlequin duck research in Kananaskis Country in
2000, by C.M. Smith. (2001)

Proposed monitoring plan for harlequin ducks in the
Bow Region of Alberta, by C.M. Smith. (2001 )

No. 25
No. 26
No. 27
No. 28

No. 29
No. 30

No. 31

Population estimate and habitat associations of the
long-billed curlew in Alberta, by EJ. Saunders. (2001 )

Aerial reconnaissance for piping plover habitat in east-
central Alberta, May 2001, by D.R.C. Prescott. (2001)

The 2001 international piping plover census in Alberta,
by D.R.C. Prescott. (2001 )

Prairie rattlesnake [Crotalus viridis viridis) monitoring in
Alberta - preliminary investigations (2000), by S.L. Rose.
(2001)

A survey of short-horned lizard ( Phrynosoma hernandesi
hernandesi) populations in Alberta, by J. James. (2001)

Red-sided garter snake [Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)
education and relocation project - final report, by L.
Takats. (2002)

Alberta furbearer harvest data analysis, by K.G. Poole
and G.Mowat. (2001)

No. 32

No. 33

No. 34

Measuring wolverine distribution and abundance in
Alberta, by G.Mowat. (2001)

Woodland caribou [Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat
classification in northeastern Alberta using remote
sensing, by G.A. Sanchez-Azofeifa and R. Bechtel. (2001 )

Peregrine falcon surveys and monitoring in the Parkland
Region of Alberta, 2001, by R. Corrigan. (2002)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

No. 35 | Protocol for monitoring long-toed salamander

(, Ambystomo macrodactylum) populations in Alberta,
byT. Pretzlaw, M. Huynh, L.Takats and L. Wilkinson.
(2002)

No. 36 | Long-toed salamander ( Ambystoma macrodactylum)
monitoring study in Alberta: summary report
1998-2001, by M. Huynh, L.Takats and L. Wilkinson.
(2002)

No. 37 | Mountain plover habitat and population surveys in
Alberta, 2001 , by C. Wershler and C. Wallis. (2002)

No. 38 | A census and recommendations for management for
western blue flag ( Iris missouriensis) in Alberta, by R.
Ernst. (2002)

No. 39 | Columbian mountain amphibian surveys, 2001, by D.
Paton. (2002)

No. 40

Management and recovery strategies for the
Lethbridge population of the prairie rattlesnake, by R.
Ernst. (2002)

No. 55

Alberta species at risk program and projects 2001-2002,
by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish
and Wildlife Division. (2002)

No. 56

No. 57

No. 58
No. 59

Developing a habitat-based population viability model
for greater sage-grouse in southeastern Alberta, by C.L.
Aldridge. (2001)

Peregrine falcon surveys and monitoring in the
Northeast Boreal Region of Alberta, 2001 , by R.
Corrigan. (2002)

2002 burrowing owl trend block survey and
monitoring, Brooks area, by R.F. Russell. (2002)

Rare plant inventory of the eastern edge of the lower
foothills natural subregion, west-central Alberta, by J.
Doubt. (2002)

No. 60

Western ( Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared
[Podiceps nigricollis) grebes of central Alberta: 2002
field summary, by S. Hanus, L. Wilkinson and H. Wollis.
(2002)

No. 41

No. 42
No. 43
No. 44
No. 45
No. 46

No. 47

No. 48
No. 49
No. 50
No. 51

No. 52

No. 53
No. 54

Western ( Aechmophorus occidentalis ) and eared
(. Podiceps nigricollis ) grebes of central Alberta:
inventory, survey techniques and management
concerns, by S. Hanus, H. Wollis and L. Wilkinson.
(2002)

Northern leopard frog reintroduction - year 3 (2001),
byK.Kendell. (2002)

Survey protocol for the northern leopard frog, by K.
Kendell. (2002)

Alberta inventory for the northern leopard frog
(2000-2001 ), by K. Kendell. (2002)

Fish species at risk in the Milk and St. Mary drainages,
by RL&L Environmental Services Ltd. (2002)

Survey of the loggerhead shrike in the southern
aspen parkland region, 2000-2001 , by H. Kiliaan and
D.R.C. Prescott. (2002)

Survey of native grassland butterflies in the Peace
parkland region of northwestern Alberta - 2001 , by
M.Hervieux. (2002)

Caribou range recovery in Alberta: 2001/02 pilot year,
byT.Szkorupa. (2002)

Peace parkland native grassland stewardship
program 2001/02, by A. Baker. (2002)

Carnivores and corridors in the Crowsnest Pass, by C.
Chetkiewicz. (2002

2001 Burrowing owl trend block survey and
monitoring, Brooks and Hanna areas, by D. Scobie.
(2002)

An evaluation of the ferruginous hawk population in
Alberta based on recent trend data, by D.P.Stepnisky,
G.L. Erickson, J.lwaasa and B.Taylor. (2002)

Alberta amphibian call surveys. A pilot year. Final
report, by L.Takats and C. Priestley. (2002)

Utilization of a roadside survey technique to survey
burrowing owl {Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in
southeastern Alberta, by J. Nicholson and C. Skiftun.
(2002)

No. 61
No. 62

No. 63
No. 64
No. 65

No. 66

No. 67
No. 68
No. 69
No. 70
No. 71
No. 72

No. 73
No. 74

Inventory of western spiderwort ( Tradescantia
occidentalis) in Alberta: 2002, by S. Peters. (2003)

Bullsnakes {Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Alberta: literature
review and data compilation, by KJ. Kissner and J.
Nicholson. (2003)

Distribution of Ord's kangaroo rats in southeastern
Alberta, by D.L. Gummer and S.E. Robertson. (2003)

Lethbridge prairie rattlesnake conservation project:
2002/2003 progress report, by R.D. Ernst. (2003)

Short-horned lizard {Phrynosoma hernandesi
hernandesi) populations in Alberta - 2002 survey
results, by J.D. James. (2003)

Inventory and monitoring protocol for naturally
occurring western blue flag {Iris missouriensis) in
Alberta, by R.D. Ernst. (2003)

The use of call playbacks for censusing loggerhead
shrikes in southern Alberta, by D.R.C. Prescott. (2003)

Survey of bats in northeastern Alberta, by A. Hubbs and
T.Schowalter. (2003)

Survey protocol for the Richardson's ground squirrel, by

B. A. Downey. (2003)

Population estimates and a survey protocol for
ferruginous hawks in Alberta, by B.N. Taylor. (2003)

Testing methods for detecting wolverine, by G. Mowat,

C. Kyle and D. Paetkau. (2003)

A multi-species conservation strategy for species at
risk in the Milk River basin: year 1 progress report, by
R.W. Quinlan, B.A. Downey, B.N. Taylor, P.F. Jones and T.B.
Clayton. (2003)

Long-toed salamander {Ambystoma macrodactylum)
conservation in the Alberta foothills: 2002 field
summary report, by L. Wilkinson and S. Hanus. (2003)

Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA):
2002 provincial summary, by L. Wilkinson and S. Hanus.
(2003)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

No. 75

No. 76

No. 77

No. 78
No. 79
No. 80

No. 81
No. 82
No. 83

No. 84

No. 85

No. 86

No. 87

No. 88
No. 89

No. 90
No. 91

LIST OF TITLES IN THIS S E R I E S ... C O N T I N U E D

Distribution and habitat associations of the long-
toed salamander ( Ambystoma macrodactylum ) in the
Oldman River drainage, by K. Pearson. (2003)

Prairie rattlesnake ( Crotalus viridis) hibernacula:
monitoring history in Alberta 1987-2002, by K.J.Kissner
and J. Nicholson. (2003)

Alberta species at risk program and projects 2002-2003,
by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish
and Wildlife Division. (2003)

No. 92 | Survey of Aquatic Gastropods in the Central Parkland
Subregion of Alberta, by D. R. C. Prescott, and M. M.
Curteanu. (2004)

No. 93 | The 2003 Loggerhead Shrike Survey in Alberta, by D.R.
C. Prescott. (2004)

No. 94 | Western (Aechmophorus occidentaiis) and Eared

(, Podiceps nigricollis) Grebes of Central and Parkland
Alberta: 2004 Field Summary, by G. Berg, L. Wilkinson, H.
Wollis,and D. Prescott. (2004)

Northern leopard frog reintroduction: Year 4 (2002), by
K.Kendell. (2003)

Magrath Northern Leopard Frog Reintroduction Project
-Yearl Progress Report, by K.A.Romanchuck. (2003)

Conservation Overview of Butterflies in the Southern
Headwaters at Risk Project (SHARP) Area, by N. Kondla.
(2004)

Lethbridge Rattlesnake Conservation Project: 2003
Progress Report, by R. Ernst. (2004)

Shortjaw Cisco Species at Risk Assessment 2001 , by M.
Steinhilber. (2004)

Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA):
2003 provincial summary, by L. Wilkinson and K.
Kempin. (2004)

Methods for Controlling Depredation on Piping Plovers
in Alberta: A Literature Review and Synthesis, by R.
Schmelzeisen, D.R.C. Prescott and L. Engley. (2004)

Western Blue Flag Conservation Program:3-Year
Summary Report, by K.A. Romanchuk, R.D. Ernst, and
R.W Quinlan (2004)

MULTISAR:The Milk River Basin Habitat Suitability
Models for Selected Wildlife Management Species, by
B. A. Downey, B. L. Downey, R.W. Quinlan, O. Castelli, V.
Remesz and P. F. Jones (eds.). (2004)

No. 95

Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA):
2004 provincial summary, by L. Wilkinson and G. Berg.
(2004)

No. 96 | Gillett's checkerspot in the southern headwaters at risk
(SHARP) project area, by N.G. Kondla. (2005)

No. 97 | Southern headwaters at risk project (SHARP)

amphibian and western painted turtle ( Chrysemys
picta) surveys, 2003-2004, by KJ. Pearson. (2005)

No. 98 | MULTISAR: A Multi-Species Conservation Strategy For
Species at Risk: Year 3 Report, by B. L. Downey, B. A.
Downey, R.W. Quinlan, and P.F. Jones. (2005)

No. 99

Implementation of the Alberta Piping Plover Recovery
Plan, 2002-2004: Final Program Report, Alberta Piping
Plover Recovery Team. (2005)

No. 100

Alberta Species at Risk Program and Projects
2003-2004, by Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development, Fish and Wildlife Division. (2005)

No. 101

The 2005 ferruginous hawk inventory and population
analysis, by B. L. Downey. (2005)

No. 102

Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentaiis)
Inventory in Alberta, 2005, by B.L. Remarchuk. (2006)

No. 103

Reproductive Biology of Female Prairie Rattlesnakes
(Crotalus viridis viridis) in Alberta, by D. Jorgenson.
(2007)

MULTISAR: The Milk River Basin, A Multi-Species
Conservation Strategy For Species at Risk: Year
2-Progress Report, by R.W. Quinlan, B. A. Downey, B. L.
Downey, and P.F. Jones. (2004)

Survey of Colonial Nesting Birds and Lakeshore
Habitats in Northeast Alberta, by C. Found and A.
Hubbs. (2004)

No. 104 | Magrath Northern Leopard Frog Reintroduction

Program: Final Report, by K. Romanchuk and R. Quinlan.
(2005)

No. 1 05 | The Southern Headwaters at Risk Project: A Multi-

Species Conservation Strategy for the Headwaters of
the Oldman River, Volume 3, Landscape Management
- Selection and Recommendations, by F. Blouin. (2006)

The southern headwaters at risk project: A multi-
species conservation strategy for the headwaters of
the Oldman River. Volume 1 : Introduction and natural
processes, by F. Blouin. (2004)

No. 106

The Southern Headwaters at Risk Project: A Multi-
Species Conservation Strategy for the Headwaters
of the Oldman River Volume 4, BMP's and Land Use
Guidelines for Focal Species, by F. Blouin. (2006)

The southern headwaters at risk project: A multi-
species conservation strategy for the headwaters of
the Oldman River. Volume 2: Species Selection and
Habitat Suitability Models, by F. Blouin, B.N.Taylor, and
R.W.Quinlan (eds). (2004)

Distribution, abundance and habitat selection of
northern pygmy and barred owls along the eastern
slopes of the Alberta Rocky Mountains, by M. D.
Pioreckyand D. R.C. Prescott. (2004)

No. 107

No. 108

No. 109

The Southern Headwaters at Risk Project: A Multi-
Species Conservation Strategy for the Headwaters of
the Oldman River, Volume 5, Landscape Pressures on
Wide-ranging Species, by F. Blouin. (2006)

MULTISAR: A Multi-Species Conservation Strategy for
Species at Risk 2005-2006 Report, by B. A. Downey, B. L.
Downey, R.W. Quinlan, and P.F. Jones. (2006)

Rattlers and People: Conserving rattlesnakes in
Lethbridge, by R.D. Ernst and R.W. Quinlan. (2006)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

LIST OF TITLES IN THIS S E R I E S ... C O N T I N U E D

No.110 | Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA):
2005 Provincial Summary, by L. Wilkinson and G.Berg.
(2006)

No. 1 1 1 | Inventory of the Pinhorn Soapweed ( Yucca glauca)
and Yucca moth {Tegiticula yuccasella) population,
2004, by K. Foreman, J. Chandler, and L. Matthias.
(2006)

No. 113 | Monitoring Protocol for the Ord's Kangaroo Rat, by D.
J. Bender, D. L. Gummer, and R. Dzenkiw. (2007)

No. 114 | MULTISAR: A Multi-species Conservation Strategy for
Species at Risk, 2006-2007 report, by Downey, B. A., R.
W. Quinlan, P. F. Jones, and R. Elhert. (2007)

No. 115 | Bird Populations on the Shoreline of Buffalo Lake:

Identification of Priority Areas for Conservation, by D.
R. C. Prescott and S. D. Stevens. (2007)

No. 116 | Burrowing Owl Population Trends on the Kininvie
Blocks from 1 993-2007, and Ancillary Data for
Additional Species at Risk in 2007, by S.D. Stevens
and A.W. Todd. (2008)

No. 117 | MULTISAR: A Multi-Species Conservation Strategy for
Species at Risk 2007-2008 Report, by B. L. Downey,

B. A. Downey, R. W. Quinlan, P.F. Jones, S.L. Frank, D.E.
Cross, D.J. Jarina, C.G. DeMaere, and J. Nicholson.
(2008)

No. 1 1 8 | Wildlife Survey of the Antelope Creek Habitat

Development Area - 2007. By J.E. Carpenter and J.T.
Nicholson. (2008)

No. 1 1 9 | Inventory of Tiny Cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima)
and Small-flowered Sand Verbena (Tripterocalyx
micranthus) in Alberta. By C. Dana Bush. (2008)

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND

PROJECTS 2004-2008

ALBERTA SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM AND PROJECTS 2004-2008

Alberta Species at Risk

PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

2004-2008

alberta

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Alberta species at risk program and projects"

See other formats